Evaluation of the “ActiveWaiting App”: A Waitlist-Control Pilot Study

Greisberger, Andrea; Wurhofer, Daniela; Fatehi, Alireza; Smeddinck, Jan David; Kulnik, Stefan Tino

doi:10.3233/SHTI250164

Abstract

Background:

The ActiveWaiting App was designed to support interspersed bouts of health-promoting physical activity (PA) during waiting periods and other idle time.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to pilot a study design to investigate the potential impact of the ActiveWaiting App on PA behavior and health-related quality of life.

Method:

A randomized waitlist-control design with one-week intervention and control phases was applied. Self-reported PA was recorded twice daily. Quality of life was measured using the EuroQol questionnaire.

Results:

Thirty-three adults (age 28-61 years) who held sedentary jobs were recruited and used the app on average (median) once (range 0-22 times) during the one-week intervention phase. Preliminary analyses indicate a trend towards increased PA during intervention compared to control phases, and small increases in quality of life during all phases.

Conclusion:

The ActiveWaiting App shows potential as a low-threshold intervention to promote PA. Future studies need to address data completeness, specifically of PA measurements.