NCT06260995

The Role of Intermediaries in Connecting Individuals to Local Physical Activity - Study Protocol

The Role of Intermediaries in Connecting Individuals to Local Physical Activity - Protocol for a Non-randomized Pilot Feasibility Trial

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 30 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Dublin, Trinity College · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Intermediaries help people to connect to community-based services and supports, including physical activity and exercise groups (physical activities). They do this by acting as a link person. After receiving a referral or self-referral, they conduct an assessment, connect people to services in the community, and follow-up with people over time. This project will investigate if connecting to physical activities through an intermediary can improve health and wellbeing. It will also investigate people's experiences of working with an intermediary. This project is a pilot feasibility study, which means the investigators are evaluating the measures used and the way the trial is designed to see if they are suitable for a larger study in the future.

Detailed description

BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is a major issue affecting health, and was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Effective methods of physical activity promotion are needed. An 'intermediary' is an emerging method to address the problem of physical inactivity. Intermediaries are health-related workers who support individuals to improve their health and wellbeing by facilitating connections to local physical activities. Preliminary evidence for this intervention is positive for improving physical activity levels and wellbeing, but is based on trials using less robust designs. When evaluating complex interventions, feasibility testing is recommended in order to make decisions about progression to the evaluation phase. METHODS This will be a non-randomized mixed methods pilot feasibility study. This overall aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of an intervention delivered by an intermediary to improve physical activity and health-related outcomes of community-dwelling adults. Participants will be recruited through two types of intermediary services in Ireland; social prescribing and local sports partnerships. A total of 30 participants will be recruited (15 per service). This study comprises two strands. Strand 1 is a non-randomized prospective cohort study. A baseline assessment will be taken upon enrolment on to the study. Baseline demographic information will be taken and three questionnaires will be completed: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form, Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale and Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. The questionnaires will be repeated after 12 weeks. Strand 2 is a qualitative phase consisting of semi-structured exit interviews with intervention participants conducted at the 12-week follow-up assessment. These will be carried out to explore intervention content and delivery, as well as acceptability of the intervention and evaluation design. In addition, study gatekeepers will be asked to keep a record of how many clients they had contact with, how many people were approached about the study, and the reasons for refusal to take part in the study. Semi-structured interviews will also be conducted with gatekeepers at the end of the recruitment period to explore the acceptability of the recruitment methods. DISCUSSION This study will investigate the feasibility of the intervention delivered by an intermediary, and any indications of change in physical activity and health-related outcomes. It will also investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the evaluation design, specifically recruitment methods and choice of outcome measures.

Conditions

• Physical Inactivity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Social Prescribing Link Worker Intermediary Intervention	Social prescribing link workers \[SPLW\] receive referrals from healthcare professionals, community services, or through self-referral. Individuals are referred for social isolation or social needs, frequent healthcare attendance, or to address a pre-existing health issue. SPLW carry out an in-depth assessment of the individual's needs, and then work with the individual over weeks and months to connect them to community services and supports, which can include local physical activities. They use several strategies during this follow-up period, such as instrumental support (doing things for the individual), empowerment and motivation techniques and/or attending activities with the individual. After the SPLW establishes a connection to a local physical activity, the individual enrols and participates in the chosen activity. Local physical activities can include walking groups, local gyms and leisure centres, chair-based exercise, outdoor activities, yoga and tai chi.
OTHER	Local Sports Partnership Community Development Officer Intervention	Local sports partnership community development officers \[LSPO\] mainly receive self-referrals, or can receive referrals, to improve physical activity levels of individuals through participation in physical activity groups delivered by the partnership. LSPO do not carry out an in-depth assessment but may carry out screening before explaining/signposting to local physical activities. They use several strategies to connect the individual to local physical activities, such as attending the first session of the group, providing reassurance and practical support, and keeping the person updated and informed as to upcoming groups. After the LSPO establishes a connection to a local physical activity, the individual enrols and participated in the chosen activity. The LSPO continues to support this engagement during the follow-up period. Local physical activities can include walking groups, local gyms and leisure centres, chair-based exercise, outdoor activities, yoga and tai chi amongst others.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-09-01
• Primary completion: 2024-08-23
• Completion: 2025-03-30
• First posted: 2024-02-15
• Last updated: 2024-12-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Ireland