Does primary care referral to an exercise programme increase physical activity one year later? A randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of a primary care referral scheme on increasing physical activity at 1 year from referral. Design Two-group randomized controlled trial recruiting primary care referrals to a borough-based exercise scheme. Setting A local authority borough in the north-west of England. Participants 545 patients defined as sedentary by a primary care practitioner. Intervention Referral to a local-authority exercise referral scheme and written information compared with written information only. Main outcome measures Meeting physical activity target at 12 months following referral, with a secondary outcome measured at 6 months from referral.


RESULTS
At 12 months, a non-significant increase of 5 per cent was observed in the intervention compared with control group, for participation in at least 90 minutes of moderate/vigorous activity per week (25.8 versus 20.4 per cent, OR 1.45, 0.84 to 2.50, p = 0.18). At 6 months, a 10 per cent treatment effect was observed which was significant (22.6 versus 13.6 per cent, OR 1.67, 1.08 to 2.60, p = 0.05). The intervention increased satisfaction with information but this did not influence adherence with physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Community-based physical activity referral schemes have some impact on reducing sedentary behaviour in the short-term, but which is unlikely to be sustained and lead to benefits in terms of health.
Harrison
Roger A
RA
Bolton Primary Care Trust, St Peters House, Silverwell Street, Bolton BL1 1PP, UK. roger.harrison@bolton.nhs.uk
Roberts
Chris
C
Elton
Peter J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D004739:England; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D055656:Prescriptions; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome