Feasibility of Virtual Lifestyle Physical Activity Program for South Asian Indian Immigrant Women: Dance and Spousal/Partner Dyad Meetings

Culturally relevant, physical activity (PA) interventions are important in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in South Asian Indian immigrant (SAI) women. This 12-week study aimed to determine the feasibility (recruitment, engagement, satisfaction, obtaining measures, retention) of implementing a virtual lifestyle PA program. The outcomes measured included steps/day; minutes of moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA/week) and cardiovascular health measures (aerobic fitness, blood pressure, body mass index, and waist circumference) in women. The intervention targets included benefits/barriers to PA, self-efficacy, social support, and couples’ satisfaction. We recruited six SAI spousal/partner dyads (women aged 40-65 years; < 7,500 average steps/day). The intervention included: (a) Fitbit for PA prescription and step goal setting for women; (b) Bollywood-style women-only weekly dance sessions via Zoom; and (c) dyad behavioral group meetings every two weeks via Zoom. Dance and group meeting attendance for women was 100%. The majority (83.3%) wore a Fitbit > 91.6% of days. Overall mean client satisfaction was five on a five-point satisfaction scale. Aerobic fitness and self-efficacy for PA improved significantly (t = 3.50, p = < .05) at 12 weeks with no significant changes in steps/MVPA/physical measures. This virtual lifestyle PA program to stimulate and maintain lifestyle PA is culturally acceptable to SAI women. Keywords: South Asian Indian women, physical activity, virtual dance, spousal/partner dyad, feasibility