Study at USC is developing active sitting technology. Join today!
Purpose
Older adults can spend nearly 80% of their day sitting, doing sedentary activities such as watching TV, reading, and using the computer. FitSitt is an innovative device tailored to older adults and designed to improve health by increasing the convenience of breaking up sedentariness and incorporating movement into in-home daily routines. Whereas many interventions aim to increase physical activity by focusing on dedicated exercise sessions such as daily workouts, research suggests that key improvements to health can occur when regular movement is woven into the day, thereby reducing long inactive periods.
The purpose of this study is to refine and tailor a working prototype of FitSitt, and test the system to see if it is feasible to use and acceptable to older adults. This project will ultimately help the development of an optimized, in-home, comprehensive sedentary activity solution for older adults and countless other populations that could benefit from reducing the deleterious health effects of extended inactive behavior through convenient and comfortable-to-use intervention.
To participate in this study, we are looking for older adults (65 years or older) who are healthy enough to do light activity, and who live in the Los Angeles area.
You
will be compensated for your time. Scroll all the way down (past the blue bar)
for more information, and use the contact form on the right to get in touch.
Keywords: sedentary activity, physical activity, older adults, sedentariness, sitting, technology
Study Sites
1540 Alcazar St., CHP-133, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- Men & Women
We're sorry, but this trial is no longer enrolling volunteers.
What's involved?
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Between 1 and 4 weeks (depends on study stage)
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Between 1 and 3 visits (in-person + online)
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None
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Surveys
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FitSitt training session
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Use of Fitsitt system
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Activity monitoring
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Focus group
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Smartphone app trial
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Interview
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Compensation is available for successful completion of study activities.
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None
Eligibility
Must have
- 65 years or older
- Speak and understand English
- Live in the local LA area within the community
- Able to participate in light physical activity
About This Study
Our team will develop and test the feasibility and acceptability of the FitSitt active seating system designed to help older adults be more active during their daily sitting routines. This device is different from other products out there because it offers the convenience of breaking up long periods of inactive time with movement, all without interrupting one’s desired sitting activities. About 60 older adults will take part in various stages of the study: (1) focus group stage – spread across 4 weeks, (2) in-lab testing stage – approximately 2.5 hours total, and (3) in-home testing stage – spread across 2 weeks.
Participants may take part in the following activities depending on for which stage of the study they are selected. These activities will be a combination of online and in-person:
- Fill out questionnaires
- Learn how to use the FitSitt system
- Use the FitSitt system
- Wear an activity monitor during the trial period
- Try out various commercial wellness apps
- Complete an interview to discuss your experience with the system and make suggestions for changes
Study Team
For questions about this study, contact:
- Multiple Principal Investigator Stacey Schepens Niemiec
- USC Chan Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, 1540 Alcazar St., CHP-133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003
- (323) 442-2069
- schepens@usc.edu
Research study materials
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