Mental contrasting and implementation intentions to increase physical activity in sedentary, disadvantaged adults: A pilot intervention.

Socioeconomically disadvantaged people in high-income countries like Australia do less physical activity than their more affluent counterparts. Mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) is a goal-setting and goal-striving process that aims to improve self-regulation. The current study explored the feasibility and efficacy of a 12-week pilot randomized controlled trial that used MCII to increase physical activity levels-and to improve stage of exercise behavior change, self-efficacy, and anthropometric indices-in sedentary, socioeconomically disadvantaged adults in South-East Sydney. Thirty-two people aged 18-65 years were randomized to intervention (n = 15) or control (n = 15) groups, with 30 completing the study, but only 27 supplied reliable self-report physical activity data for analyses. Fitbit accelerometers, physical activity diaries, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire captured physical activity levels across 12 weeks. The control group received physical activity information only via e-mail, whereas the intervention group were also guided through the MCII process during the face-to-face baseline meeting. The intervention group had significantly higher levels of mean minutes and Metabolic Equivalent of Task-minutes of physical activity per week at 12 weeks than the control group. There were no significant differences between groups for overall step counts, but the intervention group took significantly more steps than the control group at Weeks 2, 9 and 10. There were no significant between-groups differences in stage of exercise behavior change, self-efficacy, and anthropometry. This study gives preliminary data that shows promise for using MCII to increase physical activity levels in sedentary, socioeconomically disadvantaged people.