Mindful Steps is a unique exercise study that we are conducting for patients with a chronic heart and/or lung condition, such as COPD or heart failure.
This 15-month program is free of charge and may involve attending online mind-body exercise classes for 12 months and wearing a Fitbit that is designed to encourage walking and physical activity. The online mind-body exercise classes will be live group-classes that occur at a set schedule. We are currently recruiting for the group that begins classes around January.
If you agree to participate in the study, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups.
1. One group participates in the online mind-body exercise classes, has access to a website that has motivational and educational content on becoming more physically active, and wears a Fitbit with daily step goals.
2. The second group does not participate in exercise classes or have access to the website, but will receive educational materials and a fitbit to wear only at certain time points throughout the study.
You do not get to pick which group you will be in.
Regardless of your group assignment, you will have five remote testing visits: one at the beginning of the research study, one at 3 months, one at 6 months, one at 12 months, and one at 15 months. The testing consists of some questionnaires-where you will answer various questions about your physical activity and current condition. The questionnaires will each take about 45 minutes. You may also be chosen for qualitative interviews at the 6 month and 12 month timepoints, which would take an additional 30 minutes for each interview.
You will be paid $200 for participating. There should be no out-of-pocket costs for you for attending the classes or using the Fitbit.