Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention to Sit Less and Move More in People With Type 2 Diabetes: Protocol for a Microrandomized Trial.

Background: Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are associated with various positive health benefits. Just-in-time adaptive interventions offer the potential to target both of these behaviors through more contextually aware, tailored, and personalized support. We have developed a just-in-time adaptive intervention to promote sitting less and moving more in people with T2D.

Objective: This paper presents the study protocol for a microrandomized trial to investigate whether motivational messages are effective in reducing time spent sitting in people with T2D and to determine what behavior change techniques are effective and in which context (eg, location, etc).

Methods: We will use a 6-week microrandomized trial design. A total of 22 adults with T2D will be recruited. The intervention aims to reduce sitting time and increase time spent standing and walking and comprises a mobile app (iMove), a bespoke activity sensor called Sedentary Behavior Detector (SORD), a messaging system, and a secured database. Depending on the randomization sequence, participants will potentially receive motivational messages 5 times a day.

Results: Recruitment was initiated in October 2022. As of now, 6 participants (2 female and 4 male) have consented and enrolled in the study. Their baseline measurements have been completed, and they have started using iMove. The mean age of 6 participants is 56.8 years, and they were diagnosed with T2D for 9.4 years on average.

Conclusions: This study will inform the optimization of digital behavior change interventions to support people with T2D Sit Less and Move More to increase daily physical activity. This study will generate new evidence about the immediate effectiveness of sedentary behavior interventions, their active ingredients, and associated factors.

Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12622000426785; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=383664.

International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/41502.