Evaluating Causal and Noncausal Text Messages to Promote Physical Activity in Adults: Randomized Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Physical inactivity increases the risk of chronic disease and reduces life expectancy, yet adherence to physical activity (PA) guidelines remains low. SMS text messages are promising for promoting PA, but it is not clear what type of messaging is most effective. Messages with causal information, which explain why a recommendation is being made, may be more persuasive than messages containing only recommendations.

Objective

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of causal versus noncausal SMS text messages for promoting PA in US adults.

Methods

In this pilot study, we randomized US adults (n=28 in the analytic sample) aged 18-64 years to receive causal or noncausal SMS text messages roughly every other day for 2 weeks, following a 1-week baseline. PA w

SUBMITTER: Korshakova E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12686858 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature