Older Adults' Use of Physical Activity Monitors in an 18-Month Trial: Descriptive Study of Technical Problems and Assistance (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Encouraging older adults to use physical activity monitors can augment efforts to promote increased physical activity. However, little is known about the frequency and type of technical assistance needed during long-term physical activity monitor (PAM) use. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine PAM-related technical problems reported and assistance received by a sample of older adults in an 18-month community-based, physical activity trial, Ready Steady 3.0 (RS3). METHODS This was an ad-hoc, longitudinal analysis of process variables representing technical problems reported and assistance received by 113 study participants in the 18 months after their orientation to PAMs. Variables included date of contact, problem(s) reported, mode of technical assistance, and equipment replacement. Analysis was descriptive including frequencies and incidence rates of distinct contacts, types of problems, and modes of technical assistance. RESULTS On average, participants were 77 years old (+ 5.2). Most identified as female (77%), reported experience using smart phones (81.4%), and used the PAM between 2 and 18 months. Eighty-two participants (73%) reported 1 to 9 problems with using PAMs, resulting in a total of 150 technical assistance contacts with a mean of 1.3 (SD=1.3). The incidence rate of new, distinct contact for technical assistance was 99, per 100 persons, per year from 2018 to 2021. The most common problems were wearing the PAM (28.7%), reading its display (15.3%), logging into its app (13.3%), charging the PAM (12%), and synchronizing the PAM to the app (10.7%). The modalities of technical assistance were in-person (35%), telephone (34%), email (17%), and U.S. mail (14%). CONCLUSIONS Results provide a detailed description of the types and quantity of technical assistance needs to expect when planning supportive structures to facilitate the long-term use of PAMs among older adults. Health promotion programs and researchers should further examine technical assistance for PAM problems experienced by older adults, such as proactive and responsive support, variations by PAM models, and expanded assistance strategies, such as the use of short graphics interchange formats and video calls. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical Trials.gov NCT03326141