The moderating effect of social support on the effectiveness of a web-based, computer-tailored physical activity intervention for older adults

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the moderating effect of social support on the effectiveness of a web-based, computer-tailored physical activity intervention for older adults. In the Active for Life trial, 243 inactive adults aged 65+ years were randomised into: (1) tailoring + Fitbit ( n = 78), (2) tailoring-only ( n = 96) or (3) control ( n = 69). For the current study, participants were categorised as having higher ( n = 146) or lower ( n = 97) social support based on the Duke Social Support Index (DSSI_10). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was measured through accelerometers at baseline and post-intervention. A linear mixed model analysis demonstrated that among participants with lower social support, the tailoring + Fitbit participants, but not the tailoring only participants increased their MVPA more than the control. Among participants with higher social support, no differences in MVPA changes were observed between groups. Web-based computer-tailored interventions with Fitbit integration may be more effective in older adults with lower levels of social support.