Reversed message framing effect on accelerometer-assessed physical activity among Chinese older diabetic patients

Background: Gain-framed messages are more effective than loss-framed messages in promotinglow-risk health behaviors such as physical activity (PA). Because PA participation may becomeriskier among diabetics (e.g., lead to hypoglycemia, foot complications), this study examinedwhether the framing effect may reverse in this population. Methods: Participants included 220Chinese type-2 diabetic outpatients aged 60 or older (52% being women) recruited in a hospitalin Hong Kong. Participants were randomly assigned to read gain- or loss-framed PA messagesand wore an accelerometer to objectively monitor their PA for the following 14 days. Findings:Participants who read loss-framed messages were found more physically active than those whoread gain-framed messages (β = -.13, p = .04) in a regression, controlling for demographic andhealth factors. Discussion: Gain-frame-favoring effect on PA may not be universal. PApromotional messages should be tailored according to the perceived risks of PA in a particularpopulation.