The positive effect on determinants of physical activity of a tailored, general practice-based physical activity intervention.
PACE (Physician-based Assessment and Counseling for Exercise) is an individualized theory-based minimal intervention strategy aimed at the enhancement of regular physical activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a PACE intervention applied by general practitioners (GPs) on potential determinants of physical activity. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 29 general practices with the following inclusion criteria for patients: aged between 18 and 70 years, diagnosed with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and/or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and not in maintenance stage for regular physical activity. The intervention consisted of two visits with the GP and two telephone booster calls by a physical activity counselor. Determinants of physical activity were assessed with questionnaires at baseline, and at 8-week (short), 6-month (medium) and 1-year (long) follow-up. A significant positive effect was observed on self-efficacy, and on the use of cognitive and behavioral processes of change, at both short- and medium-term follow-up. The intervention respondents also perceived fewer barriers for regular physical activity at short-term and used behavioral processes of change more at long-term follow-up. No intervention effect was observed for perceived benefits of physical activity. In conclusion, this GP-based PACE intervention resulted in positive changes in potential determinants of physical activity.
Department of Social Medicine and Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
E M F
EM
Van Sluijs
M N M
MN
Van Poppel
J W R
JW
Twisk
J
J
Brug
W
W
Van Mechelen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003376:Counseling; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006973:Hypertension / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires