---
title: Factorial Trial Testing Guided Thinking Tasks to Optimize a Physical Activity Intervention
nct_id: NCT05235360
overall_status: UNKNOWN
phase: NA
sponsor: Southern Methodist University
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Physical Inactivity
countries: United States
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT05235360.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05235360"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2022-02-28
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T06:09:58.314Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# Factorial Trial Testing Guided Thinking Tasks to Optimize a Physical Activity Intervention

**Official Title:** Factorial Trial to Test Unique and Combined Effects of Guided Thinking Tasks to Optimize a Physical Activity Intervention Among Underactive Adults

**NCT ID:** [NCT05235360](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05235360)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** UNKNOWN
- **Phase:** NA
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 192
- **Lead Sponsor:** Southern Methodist University
- **Collaborators:** National Cancer Institute (NCI), University of Kansas Medical Center, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
- **Conditions:** Physical Inactivity
- **Start Date:** 2022-02-14
- **Completion Date:** 2023-07
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2022-02-28

## Brief Summary

The objective of this study is to optimize a novel, audio-recorded physical activity intervention that is scalable. Using principles of the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) framework, a full factorial study will test the unique and combined effects of different intervention components to identify which combination of components is optimal for increasing physical activity and mechanisms by which the components are or are not effective. This information will inform decisions about an optimal intervention package that is effective, efficient, and minimizes participant burden.

## Detailed Description

Eligible participants who provide informed consent will be enrolled in a 6-week study. At the baseline session, participants will be randomized to listen to a brief audio-recording of different guided thinking tasks. The audio-recordings are based on combinations of four different intervention components that will be tested in a 2 (positive affect imagery vs. neutral) x 2 (episodic future thinking vs. recent thinking) x 2 (action planning: yes, no) x 2 (dose: high vs. low) factorial trial. Participants will also complete a 30-minute brisk walking session on a treadmill. Participants will return for weekly visits in which they again listen to their assigned audio-recording and complete a 30-minute brisk walking session.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Maximum age:** 64 Years
- **Sex:** ALL
- **Healthy Volunteers:** Yes

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults ages 18-64
* Not currently meeting physical activity guidelines (\<150 minutes/week of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity)
* Capable of providing informed consent
* Access to a smartphone with active data plan
* Willing to attend all study visits and comply with the protocol
* Conversant in English

Exclusion Criteria:

* BMI \> 40
* orthopedic problems that would limit physical activity
* self-reported coronary artery disease, stroke, COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes
```

## Arms

- **Condition 1** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Episodic future thinking; 2) Positive affect imagery; 3) Action planning; 4) High intervention dose
- **Condition 2** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Episodic future thinking; 2) Positive affect imagery; 3) Action planning; 4) Low intervention dose
- **Condition 3** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Episodic future thinking; 2) Positive affect imagery; 3) High intervention dose
- **Condition 4** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Episodic future thinking; 2) Positive affect imagery; 3) Low intervention dose
- **Condition 5** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Recent thinking; 2) Positive affect imagery; 3) Action planning; 4) High intervention dose
- **Condition 6** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Recent thinking; 2) Positive affect imagery; 3) Action planning; 4) Low intervention dose
- **Condition 7** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Recent thinking; 2) Positive affect imagery; 3) High intervention dose
- **Condition 8** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Recent thinking; 2) Positive affect imagery; 3) Low intervention dose
- **Condition 9** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Episodic future thinking; 2) Neutral imagery; 3) Action planning; 4) High intervention dose
- **Condition 10** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Episodic future thinking; 2) Neutral imagery; 3) Action planning; 4) Low intervention dose
- **Condition 11** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Episodic future thinking; 2) Neutral imagery; 3) High intervention dose
- **Condition 12** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Episodic future thinking; 2) Neutral imagery; 3) Low intervention dose
- **Condition 13** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Recent thinking; 2) Neutral imagery; 3) Action planning; 4) High intervention dose
- **Condition 14** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Recent thinking; 2) Neutral imagery; 3) Action planning; 4) Low intervention dose
- **Condition 15** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Recent thinking; 2) Neutral imagery; 3) High intervention dose
- **Condition 16** (EXPERIMENTAL) — 1\) Recent thinking; 2) Neutral imagery; 3) Low intervention dose

## Interventions

- **Episodic future thinking** (BEHAVIORAL) — Participants will listen to a guided thinking task directing them to think about themselves at a future, positive event and to imagine the event in vivid and specific detail.
- **Positive affect imagery** (BEHAVIORAL) — Participants will listen to a guided thinking task directing them to think about positive feelings and associations about physical activity in specific, personal, and positive detail.
- **Action planning** (BEHAVIORAL) — Participants will listen to a guided thinking task directing them to think about the remainder of their week and when, where, and how they plan to attain their remaining activity for the week.
- **High dose** (BEHAVIORAL) — Participants will listen to the audio-recording with the guided thinking tasks 5 times/week.
- **Recent thinking** (BEHAVIORAL) — Participants will listen to a guided thinking task directing them to think about a regular habit or activity they completed in the past week and to imagine that activity in specific and vivid detail.
- **Neutral imagery** (BEHAVIORAL) — Participants will listen to a guided thinking task directing them to imagine physical sensations (i.e., movements, muscles used) of a routine, daily activity (non-physical activity).
- **Low dose** (BEHAVIORAL) — Participants will listen to the audio-recording with the guided thinking tasks 1 time/week.

## Primary Outcomes

- **Change in Weekly Physical Activity Minutes Across 6 Weeks (accelerometer-assessed)** _(time frame: Assessed weekly at Weeks 1-6)_ — Amount of weekly moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) minutes (i.e., minutes of MPVA weighted by intensity) will be determined from accelerometers (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) worn for one-week periods for six consecutive weeks.

## Secondary Outcomes

- **Change in Weekly Physical Activity Minutes Across 6 Weeks (self-reported)** _(time frame: Assessed weekly at baseline and at Weeks 1-6)_

## Locations (1)

- Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, United States — _RECRUITING_

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.maxAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.collaborators` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.southern methodist university|dallas|texas|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT05235360.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05235360*  
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