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.
Van Sluijs
E M F
EM
Department of Social Medicine and Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Van Poppel
M N M
MN
Twisk
J W R
JW
Brug
J
J
Van Mechelen
W
W
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