Some computer-generated phone calls benefit health

Do you get annoyed when you answer the phone only to hear a computer-generated voice? I do. But there is one that I wouldn’t mind hearing.

A yearlong study by the Stanford Prevention Research center looked at whether people would increase their level of exercise just by getting a phone call either from a human or a computer.

At first the vast majority of participants (I would be one) said they would object to a computer phone call. But in the end it turned out that the computer version wasn’t so bad after all. Both the human and computer calls resulted in increased levels of activity and exercise.

The goal was to get people out walking for 30 minutes most days, or at least 150 minutes a week. Those called by a human averaged 178 minutes a week of walking. Those receiving computer calls averaged 157 minutes a week. Those in the study who didn’t get any phone call only walked for 118 minutes.

Participation was as easy as pressing buttons. Answers could be given to the computer by pressing “1” or “2” for responses. Then, based on the responses, the computer would give individualized advice for overcoming any barriers to increasing the level of walking.

The computer phone study came out at the same time as another one. This one looked at walking speed versus longevity, and the result was a shocker. Researchers looked at various reasons for increase longevity, and the study resulted in only one: Simply by walking faster, seniors could extend their lives by a considerable margin.

If the local senior center, or perhaps a doctor’s office, were to set up the computerized phone calls for exercise, I would sign up. The benefits are clear, especially when you consider the results.