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Free Time For Wellness Pilot Effectiveness Trial

Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial to Promote Physical Activity Among Low-resourced Mothers in New York City: Protocol for the Free Time for Wellness (FT4W) Effectiveness Trial.

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06474715
Acronym
FT4W
Enrollment
89
Registered
2024-06-26
Start date
2024-05-30
Completion date
2025-04-01
Last updated
2025-11-21

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Physical Inactivity

Keywords

Motherhood, Childcare, Social cohesion

Brief summary

Physical inactivity is pervasive and prevalent in the United States, particularly among women of low socioeconomic position, and women with children. Structural and social barriers make active leisure time a rare commodity creating a pressing health issue because physical inactivity increases the risk of chronic diseases and poor health. The broad objective of this study is to pilot test the Free Time for Wellness (FT4W), an innovative multilevel physical activity intervention to increase physical activity among low-resourced mothers.

Detailed description

Physical inactivity is particularly prevalent in women of low socioeconomic position (SEP) (60% are inactive), suggesting that there are structural barriers to being physically active. This study will pilot test the intervention to increase physical activity among mothers of low SEP, where there is high risk of chronic disease and significant potential to make an impact on these health disparities. This study comprises a 3-arm parallel cluster randomized controlled trial with low-resourced mothers living in New York City. The study team will randomize fitness class sites (clusters) into Arm A (contact control), receipt of free weekly fitness classes; Arm B, receipt of free childcare combined with free weekly fitness classes; and Arm C, receipt of free childcare combined with free weekly fitness classes and, plus peer support activities. The study team will recruit 90 participants into 3 fitness classes. Physical activity is the primary outcome measured using accelerometers, a self-reported questionnaire, and attendance data. Secondary outcomes (e.g., health status) and mediators/moderators (e.g., social support and cohesion) will be assessed with a baseline and follow-up questionnaire. Ethnographic methods will be used to examine how intersecting forms of social inequality shape women's experiences of physical activity and to understand how real-world conditions shape the intervention implementation. The intention-to-treat analysis will employ linear mixed-effects models (LMM) to assess the main intervention effects on physical activity outcomes and other secondary outcomes.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALArms

The intervention includes a task-based interaction (volunteer activities) where cognitive demand is low and interactional roles are clear. The focus is on the task, rather than developing relationships, reducing the pressure of interaction. As the volunteer activities continue, they also offer the opportunity for group members to enhance empathy, another salient component of cross-group relational development. Mediated interaction supports new relational development through a disinhibiting effect, lowering inhibitions and increasing comfort and disclosure

Sponsors

Monash University
CollaboratorOTHER
Loughborough University
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Iowa
CollaboratorOTHER
Public Health Institute
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Jovie USA, LLC
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
West Side Campaign Against Hunger
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
New York City Parks and Recreation
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
CollaboratorNIH
Columbia University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Intervention model description

The FT4W program is founded on social cognitive theory, which posits that human behavior is the product of the dynamic interplay of personal, behavioral, and environmental influences. Social cognitive theory emphasizes reciprocal determinism in interactions between people and their environments. The majority of physical activity interventions use social cognitive theory as indicated by the theory and technique tool developed by the Human Behavior Change Project. The study team also used the theory and technique tool to align the FT4W program components and mediating pathways with behavior change techniques and mechanisms of action substantiated in behavior change literature and expert consensus. For our study, the study team will measure social influence via social cohesion.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Understand/speak English or Spanish * Have children \<12 years old * Own a mobile phone * Live in the zip code surrounding as Shape Up NYC sites

Exclusion criteria

\- Total household income being greater than 165% of the area median income (calculated by household size).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total Minutes of Time Spent in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)Baseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12Weekly MVPA, total physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep will be objectively assessed using a blinded research-grade wrist-worn accelerometer (Axivity AX3) in all groups.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
ICEpop CAPability Measure for Adults (ICECAP-A) ScoreAt baseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12The ICECAP-A standardized survey captures the broader concept of well-being via five dimensions: feeling settled and secure; love, friendship, and support; being independent; achievement and progress; and enjoyment and pleasure. The ICECAP-A also generates a score between 0 to 1 where one equals 'full capability' and zero equals 'completely incapable'.
Attendance12 weeksShape Up NYC takes attendance at each fitness class, and community champions will take attendance at the peer support activities to understand participation, retention, and attrition levels. Attendance rate of all fitness classes will be presented as the mean percent of attendance (\[# of participants present in class\] divided by \[# of available slots\] multiplied by 100) over 12 weeks.
EQ5D-5L ScoreAt baseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12The EQ5D-5L standardized survey is a generic measure of health status that includes five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain, and anxiety/depression. The EQ-5D-5L index is measured on a total scale from 0 to 1, whereby 0 indicates death and 1 perfect health.
Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2)Baseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12PHQ-2 is a brief questionnaire that assesses frequency of depressed mood and anhedonia. The total score range is 0-6, with a higher score indicating worsening feelings of depression.
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) ScoreBaseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12Self-reported physical activity data will be collected using IPAQ. IPAQ asks participants to report the types and frequency of physical activities they have participated in over 7 days. IPAQ score is expressed as median(MET)-min per week: \[MET level\] x \[minutes of activity/day\] x \[days per week\]. It is scored as follows: High: Any one of the following two criteria: Vigorous-intensity activity on at least 3 days and accumulating at least 1500 MET-minutes/week OR 7+ days of walking, moderate-intensity or vigorous intensity activities achieving a minimum of at least 3000 MET-minutes/week Moderate: Any one of the following three criteria: 3+ days of vigorous activity, at least 20 minutes per day OR 5+ days of moderate-intensity activity or walking of at least 30 minutes per day OR 5+ days of walking, moderate-intensity or vigorous intensity activities achieving a minimum of 600 MET-min/week. Low: Individuals who do not meet criteria for either category
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item (GAD-2) ScoreBaseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12The GAD-2 is a brief questionnaire that assesses patient anxiety. The total score range is 0-6, with a higher score indicating worse anxiety.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

89 participants consented but 9 did not complete the baseline assessment, so total 80 participants are counted as part of the study.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Control Arm: Fitness Classes Only
There will be 3 Shape Up NYC classes offered weekly for one hour free of charge to consenting participants in all three arms with a total of 12 classes offered per participant. Weekly reminders for each class will be sent via automated text messages to individuals.
26
Comparator Arm: Fitness Classes + Childcare
There will be 3 Shape Up NYC classes offered weekly for one hour free of charge to consenting participants in all three arms with a total of 12 classes offered per participant. In addition, they will receive childcare in an adjacent space to the fitness class. Weekly reminders for each class will be sent via automated text messages to individuals.
31
Enhanced Intervention Arm: Fitness Classes + Childcare + Peer Support
There will be 3 Shape Up NYC classes offered weekly for one hour free of charge to consenting participants in all three arms with a total of 12 classes offered per participant. In addition, they will receive childcare in an adjacent space to the fitness class. In addition to childcare, participants will also receive peer support activities. Peer support activities will consist of group volunteer activities at food pantries, free deliveries of food pantry groceries, and group play dates at local playgrounds. A Community Champion will also facilitate group text messages.
23
Total80

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicControl Arm: Fitness Classes OnlyComparator Arm: Fitness Classes + ChildcareEnhanced Intervention Arm: Fitness Classes + Childcare + Peer SupportTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
26 Participants31 Participants23 Participants80 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
12 Participants20 Participants17 Participants49 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
12 Participants11 Participants5 Participants28 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants0 Participants1 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
5 Participants2 Participants0 Participants7 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
3 Participants2 Participants3 Participants8 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants4 Participants1 Participants5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
6 Participants10 Participants12 Participants28 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
12 Participants12 Participants6 Participants30 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
26 participants31 participants23 participants80 participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Female
25 Participants31 Participants23 Participants79 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Unknown/Not reported
1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 260 / 310 / 23
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 260 / 310 / 23
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 260 / 310 / 23

Outcome results

Primary

Total Minutes of Time Spent in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)

Weekly MVPA, total physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep will be objectively assessed using a blinded research-grade wrist-worn accelerometer (Axivity AX3) in all groups.

Time frame: Baseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12

Population: The outcome data are not available for 42 out of the 80 enrolled because participants either did not return their accelerometer or they did not adhere to the protocol of wearing the accelerometer for at least 4 out of the 8 days. 12 unique participants in the Control Arm, 18 unique participants in the Comparator Arm, and 8 unique participants in the Enhanced arm were analyzed for this outcome.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
Control Arm: Fitness Classes OnlyTotal Minutes of Time Spent in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)Baseline548 minutes of MVPA per weekStandard Error 100
Control Arm: Fitness Classes OnlyTotal Minutes of Time Spent in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)Follow-up737 minutes of MVPA per weekStandard Error 105
Comparator Arm: Fitness Classes + ChildcareTotal Minutes of Time Spent in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)Baseline512 minutes of MVPA per weekStandard Error 78.9
Comparator Arm: Fitness Classes + ChildcareTotal Minutes of Time Spent in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)Follow-up479 minutes of MVPA per weekStandard Error 83.5
Enhanced Intervention Arm: Fitness Classes + Childcare + Peer SupportTotal Minutes of Time Spent in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)Follow-up404 minutes of MVPA per weekStandard Error 125
Enhanced Intervention Arm: Fitness Classes + Childcare + Peer SupportTotal Minutes of Time Spent in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)Baseline354 minutes of MVPA per weekStandard Error 125
Secondary

Attendance

Shape Up NYC takes attendance at each fitness class, and community champions will take attendance at the peer support activities to understand participation, retention, and attrition levels. Attendance rate of all fitness classes will be presented as the mean percent of attendance (\[# of participants present in class\] divided by \[# of available slots\] multiplied by 100) over 12 weeks.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Secondary

EQ5D-5L Score

The EQ5D-5L standardized survey is a generic measure of health status that includes five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain, and anxiety/depression. The EQ-5D-5L index is measured on a total scale from 0 to 1, whereby 0 indicates death and 1 perfect health.

Time frame: At baseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12

Secondary

Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item (GAD-2) Score

The GAD-2 is a brief questionnaire that assesses patient anxiety. The total score range is 0-6, with a higher score indicating worse anxiety.

Time frame: Baseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12

Secondary

ICEpop CAPability Measure for Adults (ICECAP-A) Score

The ICECAP-A standardized survey captures the broader concept of well-being via five dimensions: feeling settled and secure; love, friendship, and support; being independent; achievement and progress; and enjoyment and pleasure. The ICECAP-A also generates a score between 0 to 1 where one equals 'full capability' and zero equals 'completely incapable'.

Time frame: At baseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12

Secondary

International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Score

Self-reported physical activity data will be collected using IPAQ. IPAQ asks participants to report the types and frequency of physical activities they have participated in over 7 days. IPAQ score is expressed as median(MET)-min per week: \[MET level\] x \[minutes of activity/day\] x \[days per week\]. It is scored as follows: High: Any one of the following two criteria: Vigorous-intensity activity on at least 3 days and accumulating at least 1500 MET-minutes/week OR 7+ days of walking, moderate-intensity or vigorous intensity activities achieving a minimum of at least 3000 MET-minutes/week Moderate: Any one of the following three criteria: 3+ days of vigorous activity, at least 20 minutes per day OR 5+ days of moderate-intensity activity or walking of at least 30 minutes per day OR 5+ days of walking, moderate-intensity or vigorous intensity activities achieving a minimum of 600 MET-min/week. Low: Individuals who do not meet criteria for either category

Time frame: Baseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12

Secondary

Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2)

PHQ-2 is a brief questionnaire that assesses frequency of depressed mood and anhedonia. The total score range is 0-6, with a higher score indicating worsening feelings of depression.

Time frame: Baseline and follow-up between weeks 10-12

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026