Efficacy and Mediation of a Theory-Based Physical Activity Intervention for African American Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundFew trials have tested physical-activity interventions among sexual minorities, including African American men who have sex with men (MSM).PurposeWe examined the efficacy and mediation of the Being Responsible for Ourselves (BRO) physical-activity intervention among African American MSM.MethodAfrican American MSM were randomized to the physical-activity intervention consisting of three 90-min one-on-one sessions or an attention-matched control intervention and completed pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 6- and 12-month post-intervention audio computer-based surveys.ResultsOf the 595 participants, 503 completed the 12-month follow-up. Generalized estimating equation models revealed that the intervention increased self-reported physical activity compared with the control intervention, adjusted for pre-intervention physical activity. Mediation analyses suggested that the intervention increased reasoned action approach variables, subjective norm and self-efficacy, increasing intention immediately post-intervention, which increased physical activity during the follow-up period.ConclusionsInterventions targeting reasoned action approach variables may contribute to efforts to increase African American MSM's physical activity.Clinical trial registrationThe trial was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02561286