Activity Monitoring and Counseling in a Geriatric Population

Activity Monitoring and Counseling in a Geriatric Population: a Randomized Trial

The goal of the study is to determine if a Fitbit, a kind of accelerometer, provides feedback to subjects combined with an activity counseling program will result in an increase in physical activity of at least 20%.

Inclusion criteria

• Volunteers from the public including subjects in the independent living section of Assisted Living Facilities between the ages of 65 and 85.

• Those over 85 may participate with their personal physician's consent.

• BMI 25-40 kg/m2 OR a waist circumference 88 cm or greater in women or 102 cm or greater in men

• Sedentary (no more than 30 minutes of vigorous or 90 minutes of moderate activity per week)

• Complete a Timed Get Up and Go test in <= 20 seconds

• If walking is done with an assistive device, the subject must have no history of falling with the use of said device)

• Subjects will complete the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire - Revised (PARQ-R) which is as follows:

  1. Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor?
  2. Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?
  3. In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
  4. Do you lose your balance because of dizziness, or do you ever lose consciousness?
  5. Do you have a bone or joint problem that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity?
  6. Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pills) for your blood pressure or heart condition?
  7. Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity? Subjects who respond "yes" to any of the above questions will require written permission from their physician to participate in this study.

Exclusion criteria:

• Significant cognitive impairment (score on Mini-Cog less than 3).
• Diabetics on medication
• Subjects who should not participate in an exercise program will not be eligible for the study.
• Angina or a history of myocardial infarction
• Cancer (other than non-melanoma skin cancer) will not be eligible.
• Uncompensated liver disease
• Uncompensated thyroid disease
• Severe osteoporosis
• Any medical condition which might lead to weight loss or weight gain
• Patients on the following medications: antidepressants (those on bupropion and stable doses of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and trazodone will be included), antipsychotics, topiramate, orlistat, or phentermine (Patients on statins will be eligible if no change in their medication is planned over the next 6 months)