NCT03490747

Evaluation of a Physical Activity Referral Scheme

Clinical and Cost-effectiveness of a Co-developed, Evidence-based Physical Activity Referral Scheme for the Treatment and Prevention of Health Conditions: a Pragmatic Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 68 (actual)
• Sponsor: Paula Watson · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The study will evaluate the effectiveness of a co-developed exercise referral scheme. Participants will be recruited to one of three groups 1. Co-developed exercise referral scheme, 2. Usual care exercise referral scheme, 3. No treatment control (no intervention). The study will measure effectiveness by observing change in cardiorespiratory fitness at 12 weeks. Intervention cost-effectiveness will also be evaluated at 3 months follow-up using objective physical activity data.

Detailed description

Evidence of effectiveness for UK exercise referral is unclear. This representation has been deemed an unfair assessment of its potential to impact public health. This is due to systematic review evidence that reports evaluations of exercise referral interventions that are not evidence-based or underpinned by behaviour change theory. This evaluation is the third phase of a project that aims to co-develop (Phase 1), pilot (phase 2) and evaluate (phase 3) an evidence-based exercise referral scheme. This approach is underpinned by the Medical Research Council guidance for complex interventions. Through co-development work with a multidisciplinary group of researchers and local stakeholders and subsequent pilot work, it is hypothesised that the co-developed, evidence-based intervention will have improved chances of implementation success, and therefore, clinical effectiveness.

Conditions

• Cardiovascular Risk Factor
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Musculoskeletal Injury
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Cancer
• Obesity
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Physical Activity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Physical activity referral scheme	An 18-week physical activity referral scheme co-developed by a local multidisciplinary stakeholder group. Behaviour change support underpinned by Self-Determination Theory (Ryan \& Deci, 2000) will be provided by an exercise referral practitioner at weeks 1,4,8,12 and 18 to facilitate increased physical activity levels. Patients will be supported to develop a tailored programme of physical activity that may involve use of the fitness centre facilities (e.g. swimming, group classes, gymnasium use), participation in community-based initiatives, and changes to habitual physical activity. Focus on promoting patient autonomy and tailoring activities to patient's preferences and needs. Subsidised access to fitness centre facilities for first 12 weeks.
BEHAVIORAL	Usual care exercise referral scheme	A comparative usual care exercise referral scheme that includes fitness centre based activities (e.g. swimming, group classes, gymnasium use). Patients meet an exercise referral practitioner at their induction (week 1) and week 12 (post scheme). Patients are typically prescribed a gym-based, 12-week programme. Subsidised access to fitness centre facilities for 12 weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-03-12
• Primary completion: 2019-02-28
• Completion: 2019-02-28
• First posted: 2018-04-06
• Last updated: 2019-09-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United Kingdom