Tailored text messages sustain exercise in older people with HIV

In a clinical trial of 118 people with HIV aged 50 and older, researchers examined behavioral strategies to preserve physical activity. Participants first completed 16 weeks of either high-intensity interval training or continuous moderate-intensity exercise. Following this initial phase, 92 participants were re-randomized for an additional 12 weeks to receive either tailored text messages combined with motivational interviewing or standard educational control messages. Messages were matched to daily survey responses assessing exercise barriers.

Participants receiving tailored messages and motivational interviewing sustained their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, averaging 30.5 minutes per day, whereas activity declined to 26.0 minutes per day in the educational control group. The tailored-intervention group also reported higher exercise self-efficacy and better perceived health over time.