Text Messaging to Promote Walking Among Latino Adults at Risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease

Thirty-five million Latinos live in the U.S. and nearly 14% have peripheral arterial disease (PAD) defined as a build-up of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the legs. Approximately 40% have at least one risk for PAD (i.e., aged 70 years and older, diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or smoking). Persons with at least one risk factor and who are physically inactive are more likely to suffer from severe PAD. Physical inactivity is highly prevalent in Latinos and a major risk factor for PAD. Physical inactivity affects 50% of Latinos aged 60 years and older.

Participation in this study will last for about 3 months. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups. One group will receive text messages, brief telephone calls, and a handout. The other group will only receive the handout. The study will be looking at how the different groups respond to the different interventions used in the study.

• Text Messages (Other): Text messages will be sent one time per day. Text messages will include messages to motivate and inform participants on the importance of walking.
• Phone Calls (Other): Participants may receive a telephone call every two weeks for one month followed by once per month for two months.
• Handout (Other): Handout includes information specific to participant's condition and ways to promote an active lifestyle.

Primary outcomes

• Change in Physical Activity [Change from Baseline to 3 Months]: All participants will use a pedometer. Mean change will be measured based on steps per day.

Secondary outcomes

• Change in Exercise Behavior [Change from Baseline to 3 Months]: Change will be measured using the Exercise Behaviors Survey.
• Change in Quality of Life [Change from Baseline to 3 Months]: Change will be measured using the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Short Form 36. The survey has 36 questions. Scores are coded based on response by participant. A score of 100 indicates the most favorable situation while a score of 0 would indicate the least favorable.

Sex: All, ages: 50 Years to any, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

* Latino adults
* English or Spanish speaking
* Have one or more of the following: diabetes mellitus, smoking, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia.
* Adults age 70 years or older, regardless of having one or more the above noted risk factors for PAD, will also be eligible for enrollment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy
* Prior major amputation (foot or lower leg) or critical leg ischemia (tissue loss, gangrene, or ulcers)
* Use of supplemental oxygen
* Myocardial infarction within preceding 3 months

• Results publication: Collins TC, Lu L, Valverde MG, Silva MX, Parra-Medina D. Efficacy of a multi-component intervention to promote physical activity among Latino adults: A randomized controlled trial. Prev Med Rep. 2019 Aug 7;16:100965. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2019.100965. eCollection 2019 Dec. PMID 31453076

• Tracie C. Collins, MD, MPH, Principal investigator, University of Kansas Medical Center

NIH grants: R56AG047590