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Impact of Loss Aversion Messaging and Anticipated Regret for Inaction on Exercise Adherence in Older Adults
Sponsor: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if messages focused on not losing the functional benefits of exercise can help older adults with walking difficulty continue to exercise regularly. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do these messages make people more likely to anticipate regretting it if they do not exercise? Does more anticipated regret make it more likely they will exercise more regularly? Researchers will compare two versions of messages to see if the content of these one of these message types is more effective than the other. Participants will complete a daily 5-minute at home exercise program for 4 months and complete regular online surveys to track their progress and report their feelings regarding regret.
Official title: Testing the Impact of Loss Aversion Messaging and Anticipated Regret for Inaction on Exercise Adherence in Older Adults: A Randomized Pilot Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
65 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
148
Start Date
2026-11
Completion Date
2028-01
Last Updated
2026-08-12
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Brief Daily At-Home Strength Training Program
FAST is a brief, daily, at-home exercise program designed for older adults with difficulty walking. The program includes 5 exercises performed for 30 seconds each, during which time participants try to complete as many repetitions as they can, followed by 30 seconds of rest. The 5 exercises are: chair stands, countertop pushups, aerobic steps, resistance band rows, and walking laps. Participants are sent daily reminders and links for self-monitoring their performance.
Loss Aversion Messaging
Loss aversion messages will be included with those messages in the experimental condition on a maximum of 3 out of the 7 days each week. There will be 3 themes (related to their performance of daily exercises) featured as topics for the loss aversion messages. The three themes are: 1) standing up from a chair (i.e., chair stands), 2) going up and down stairs (i.e., aerobic steps), and 3) walking longer distances (i.e., walking laps).
Standard Adherence Reminder Messaging
Standard reminders to perform exercise will be delivered daily.
Locations (1)
Penn State College of Medicine
Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States