title: The 'Walking for Wellbeing in the West' randomised controlled trial of a pedometer-based walking programme in combination with physical activity consultation with 12 month follow-up: rationale and study design.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scotland has a policy aimed at increasing physical activity levels in the population, but evidence on how to achieve this is still developing. Studies that focus on encouraging real world participants to start physical activity in their settings are needed. The Walking for Well-being in the West study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a pedometer-based walking programme in combination with physical activity consultation. The study was multi-disciplinary and based in the community. Walking for Well-being in the West investigated whether Scottish men and women, who were not achieving the current physical activity recommendation, increased and maintained walking behaviour over a 12 month period. This paper outlines the rationale and design of this innovative and pragmatic study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomised into two groups: Group 1: Intervention (pedometer-based walking programme combined with a series of physical activity consultations); Group 2: Waiting list control for 12 weeks (followed by minimal pedometer-based intervention). Physical activity (primary outcome) was measured using pedometer step counts (7 day) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (long version). Psychological processes were measured using questionnaires relating to the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change, mood (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) and quality of life (Euroqol EQ-5D instrument). Physiological measures included anthropometric and metabolic outcomes. Environmental influences were assessed subjectively (Neighbourhood Quality of Life Survey) and objectively (neighbourhood audit tool and GIS mapping). The qualitative evaluation employed observation, semi-structured interviews and focus groups. A supplementary study undertook an economic evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data analysis is on-going. Walking for Well-being in the West will demonstrate if a pedometer based walking programme, in combination with physical activity consultation results in a sustainable increase in walking behaviour in this sample of Scottish adults over a 12 month period. The study will examine the complex relationships between behavioural change, health consequences and the role of the environment, in conjunction with the cost effectiveness of this approach and a detailed insight into the participants' experiences of the intervention.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN88907382.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport, Culture and the Arts, University of Strathclyde, 76 Southbrae Drive, Glasgow, G13 1PP, UK. claire.fitzsimons@strath.ac.uk
authors.forename: Claire F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Fitzsimons
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Myra A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nimmo
authors.forename: Catharine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ward Thompson
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lowry
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Millington
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fenwick
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ogilvie
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Inchley
authors.forename: Charlie E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Nanette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mutrie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012107:Research Design; D012606:Scotland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology