Computer-Based Physical Activity Advice for Ethnic Minority Aging Adults

During Phase 1 of this study, the computer program will be adapted to better help Latino
older adults to increase physical activity levels. Researchers will conduct focus groups
and/or individual interviews to obtain participants feedback used to tailor the program to
be appropriate for this population.

During Phase 2, the computer-generated adviser program will be tested to see if it is
effective in promoting an increase in physical activity (primarily walking) levels among
Latino older adults.

Participants will be randomly assigned to use the computer-generated adviser or to the wait
list control group. Participants in the embodied conversational agent (computer-generated
adviser) group receive an initial session with a staff health educator to review the
expectations and content of this walking program. They will learn how to log onto the
computer and interact with the computer adviser using a touch-screen. Participants will
interact with the computer adviser at least 3 times per week to report past physical
activity (primarily walking) completed, review obstacles (or barriers) to walking, and to
set future walking goals. They are also asked to wear a pedometer.

Participants assigned to the wait list will receive an initial session with a staff health
educator to review the expectations and content of this program. They will attend a monthly
interactive class-based group session lead by a health educator that will cover
health-related topics relevant for the older adult such as nutrition, stress management, and
brain health. At the end of their involvement with this group they can decide if they want
to use the computer adviser program.

Participants of both groups complete physical activity and computer-related questionnaires
at the beginning (at 2 months) and at the end of the study (4 months).

Inclusion Criteria:1. Spanish or English-speaking Latino men or women 2. Greater than or
equal to 55 years of age 3. No plans to move within the next year 4. Inactive (have not
engaged in moderate-intensity or more vigorous physical activity, > 3 days per week for at
least 20 min per day) within last 6-months 5. Able to participate in study intervention
and assessments at the community-based location 6. Willing to be randomly assigned to
either study arm (Year 02)

Exclusion Criteria:1. Any medical condition or disorder that would limit participation in
moderate intensity physical activity (such as sustained walking), including
life-threatening disorders, myocardial ischemia, and major functional disabilities in the
orthopedic area 2. Not stable on their medications, including hormone replacement therapy,
for 3 months 3. Severe depressive symptomatology (score > 16 on the 18-item Spanish
version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]); English version
used when indicated 4. Gross levels of dementia (score< 23 on the Folstein Mini-Mental
State Exam) 5. Inability to complete a face-to-face training session with the embodied
conversational agent (ECA) program