Counseling by Human vs. Virtual Advisors for Increasing Physical Activity

Although physical activity has salutary effects on health, many adults remain inactive. In this randomized trial, researchers compared a 12-month, computerized, virtual-advisor program versus a previously validated peer-advisor program for increasing walking among 245 inactive middle-aged or older adults (age, ≥50; mean age, 62; 98% Latinx).

Ten community centers in California were randomized to provide virtual or human advisor programs. The virtual advisor was an interactive “computer agent” that provided simulated face-to-face counseling. Participants in both groups received evidence-based physical activity counseling during as many as 28 brief (10–15 minute) advising sessions. At 12 months, walking had increased by a mean 154 minutes week…