Increasing dog-walking in the community: what is the potential of wearable dog trackers? The PAWalks trial

INTERVENTION: Participants in the intervention group will be provided with; ‐ Dog‐walking education materials, two phone calls; one at the beginning and one at the end of the 3‐month intervention period, weekly text messages and a dog activity tracker device (G‐FitEdu, n=40). ‐ The dog‐walking educational materials have been specifically designed for this study, and are based on multi‐process action control and nascent dog‐walking theory (goal‐setting/coping strategies/behaviour monitoring). ‐ The purpose of the initial phone call (5‐10min) is to discuss the contents of the educational materials, ensure that the Fitbark 2 has been set‐up properly (G‐FitEdu group only) and create a dog‐walking goal for the following 12 weeks. ‐ The purpose of the second phone call (5 min) is to discuss progress towards the goal, and encourage continued use of the Fitbark 2 (G‐FitEdu group only). ‐ The purpose of the weekly text messages is to prompt participants for dog walking. ‐ The intervention will be delivered by a trained research officer by email and phone. ‐ One text message will be sent each week during the 3‐month intervention period, totalling 12 text messages. ‐ Participants will receive and complete the intervention within their usual place of occupancy, ie. their home/community. ‐ To ensure adherence and fidelity, the researcher will ask questions about the participants use of the educational materials and dog tracker during the 3‐month intervention period in the second phone call at the close of the intervention. CONDITION: physical inactivity; ; physical inactivity Public Health ‐ Health promotion/education PRIMARY OUTCOME: Participants daily number of steps ‐ as measured by an ActivPAL Micro device worn on the thigh for 7 days at 0 months (baseline), 7 days after 3 months (post‐intervention) and 7 days after 6 months (follow‐up).[0 months (baseline), 3 months (post‐intervention ‐ primary timepoint), 6 months (follow‐up) from intervention.] SECONDARY OUTCOME: dog‐owner relationship ‐ as measured in self‐reported questionnaire; Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS).[0 months (baseline), 3 months (post‐intervention), 6 months (follow‐up) from intervention.] dog‐ownership attributed social connections ‐ as measured by self‐reported questionnaires: adapted from 'The Pet Factor ‐ Companion Animals as a Conduit for Getting to Know People, Friendship Formation and Social Support' by Wood et al, 2015. INCLUSION CRITERIA: • Aged 18 and over • Currently the owner of one dog that: o Has no veterinary conditions that would limit low intensity activities such as walking. o Has not entered the last decile of expected lifespan for the given breed o Is not less than 1 year old (not a puppy) • Absence of physical limitations that prevent walking • Residing within the Sydney Metropolitan Area (within 60km of the Sydney CBD) • Not pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the trial • Able to fluently speak and understand English. ; [0 months (baseline), 3 months (post‐intervention), 6 months (follow‐up) from intervention.] loneliness ‐ as measured in self‐reported questionnaire; UCLA Loneliness Scale.[0 months (baseline), 3 months (post‐intervention), 6 months (follow‐up) from intervention.] positive affect ‐ as measured in self‐reported questionnaire; Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS).[0 months (baseline), 3 months (post‐intervention), 6 months (follow‐up) from intervention.] psychological distress ‐ as measured by self‐reported questionnaire; Kessler10.[0 months (baseline), 3 months (post‐intervention), 6 months (follow‐up) from intervention.] sedentary behaviour time ‐ as measured in self‐reported questionnaire: adapted from 'The Active Australia Survey' by Australian Institute of Health & Welfare..[0 months (baseline), 3 months (post‐intervention), 6 months (follow‐up) from intervention.]