A-B-C Program for Sedentary Older Adults With Depressive Symptoms

The importance and benefits of leading a physically active lifestyle have been long studied. Examples of the multiple advantages from physical activity are improved health of the heart and brain, having a more independent living and better quality of life. However, it is known that for many people, being active is challenging: physical activity is commonly viewed as a burden or inconvenience. In this study we will explore how some common everyday thoughts are hurdles to becoming physically active. We will discover ways to overcome this by using concepts from a field called "behavioral economics" that explains how we make decisions. The purpose of the program is to support participants in being more physically active. The study program is a newly developed way to overcome the intuitive preference for being sedentary. The experimental groups will learn simple ways to overcome expected hurdles in making decisions related to physical activity (the newly developed program), and the control groups will learn about the health benefits of physical activity and the health guidelines (the common practice today). We will compare the effectiveness of the newly developed intervention in promoting an active lifestyle, compared to the common practice today, of providing the knowledge and the recommended guidelines. The program in the study will be in small groups of 5-10 participants that will meet at The Royal for 60 minutes, twice a week, for 4 weeks.

NCT Number	NCT07176637
Lead Sponsor	The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Conditions	Sedentary Older Adults, Sedentariness and Well-being, Sedentary; Aging
Enrollment	66 participants
Start Date	2025-09
Primary Completion	2025-12 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-12 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-09-16