Targeting reward and regulatory pathways to increase physical activity: Development of a guided imagery intervention

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Mitchell, A. (2021). Targeting reward and regulatory pathways to increase physical activity: Development of a guided imagery intervention. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

Physical activity provides numerous health benefits. However, many individuals are chronically underactive and have difficulty maintaining regular physical activity. Physical activity interventions may benefit from integrative, experimental approaches based in neurobiological models of behavior that also combine mind-body techniques such as mindfulness and guided imagery. Mindfulness is evidenced to amplify self-regulatory ability and guided imagery is shown to have a positive influence on goal-setting and physical activity motivations. This 2-phase study includes an initial development process to create brief (~4 minutes) mindfulness informed physical activity based guided imagery audio files that target distinct cognitive and affective processes that underly neurobiological models of behavior. In the second phase, participants completed a 2-week pilot intervention study to gather qualitative and quantitative data on intervention feasibility and acceptability. Results indicate that participants found the mindfulness informed guided imagery to be easy to use, enjoyable and helpful. Over a two-week intervention period participants reported positive shifts in behavior change, physical activity enjoyment, increased mindfulness during physical activity, and increased physical activity self-efficacy and satisfaction. Interview data revealed that participants increased their frequency of physical activity and tended to experience positive affect during physical activity, engaged in future oriented thinking and were able to view physical activity in a more positive light. This study extends health behavior change intervention research and provides supporting evidence for a flexible and tailorable online mindfulness-based intervention.

Details
Author

Mitchell, Alexis

Title

Targeting reward and regulatory pathways to increase physical activity: Development of a guided imagery intervention

Physical Description

1 online resource (131 pages) : PDF

Date

2021

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

Physical activity provides numerous health benefits. However, many individuals are chronically underactive and have difficulty maintaining regular physical activity. Physical activity interventions may benefit from integrative, experimental approaches based in neurobiological models of behavior that also combine mind-body techniques such as mindfulness and guided imagery. Mindfulness is evidenced to amplify self-regulatory ability and guided imagery is shown to have a positive influence on goal-setting and physical activity motivations. This 2-phase study includes an initial development process to create brief (~4 minutes) mindfulness informed physical activity based guided imagery audio files that target distinct cognitive and affective processes that underly neurobiological models of behavior. In the second phase, participants completed a 2-week pilot intervention study to gather qualitative and quantitative data on intervention feasibility and acceptability. Results indicate that participants found the mindfulness informed guided imagery to be easy to use, enjoyable and helpful. Over a two-week intervention period participants reported positive shifts in behavior change, physical activity enjoyment, increased mindfulness during physical activity, and increased physical activity self-efficacy and satisfaction. Interview data revealed that participants increased their frequency of physical activity and tended to experience positive affect during physical activity, engaged in future oriented thinking and were able to view physical activity in a more positive light. This study extends health behavior change intervention research and provides supporting evidence for a flexible and tailorable online mindfulness-based intervention.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Psychology
Social sciences
Clinical psychology

Degree

M.A.

Keywords

Episodic Future Thinking
Guided Imagery
Health Behavior Change
Mindfulness
Physical Activity
Reward-Based

Subject Area

Psychology

Advisor(s)

Levens, Sara

Committee Members

Bennett, Jeanette
Webb, Jennifer
Turner, Michael

Degree Note

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2021.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Mitchell_uncc_0694N_12986

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:2902