Texting Older Sisters to Step: The TOSS Study.
Pamela G Bowen, Olivio J Clay, Loretta T Lee and 3 others
PMID 29726313WHAT IT FOUND
Older African American women found short, once-daily morning text messages acceptable and motivating when they were light, humorous, and goal-focused.
The study did not test whether the messages increased activity.
Key findings
01Participants most often named external barriers to activity, including time, television, and lack of accountability to others.
02All phase 2 participants understood each of the 13 messages, and for every message at least seven of nine said it motivated activity.
03Women preferred light, humorous, goal-focused messages delivered once daily in the morning.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study did not objectively measure physical activity after the messages. The sample was small, with 12 women in round 1 and 9 in round 2. Only two focus groups were done in each phase, so more themes might have emerged with more participants or groups. The message intervention lasted only 2 weeks, so longer-term reactions are unknown. Some women were confused by the physical activity questionnaire, which may have misclassified activity levels. Participants were older, faith-based African American women, so results may not apply to other groups.
Declared interests
The supplied text marks the work as supported by NIH extramural research funding. It does not provide an author conflict-of-interest statement.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that text messages increase physical activity. The study did not objectively measure activity and was designed only to develop and assess acceptable messages.