PACE-Lift trial 4 year follow-up
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Are increases in physical activity at 12 months maintained long-term? Four year follow-up of the PACE-Lift trial practice nurse delivered pedometer-based walking intervention in 60-75 year olds
IRAS ID
174559
Contact name
Tess Harris
Contact email
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN42122561
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Physical activity is vitally important for older people’s health and well-being. At least 2 1/2 hours weekly of at least moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity is recommended, achievable through brisk walking. Studies with objective measures suggest less than 1 in 20 achieve this. For long-term benefits any physical activity changes need to be maintained. A recent review of physical activity studies in older people found few with follow-up beyond 12 months. They concluded that trials are needed with longer follow-up and with objective physical activity measures. In the PACE-Lift randomised controlled trial, primary care nurses delivered a pedometer-based walking intervention to 60-75 year olds, which increased both step-counts and time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at both 3 and 12 months. This study’s aim is to follow-up all PACE-lift participants at four years to assess whether physical activity differences have been maintained and if so whether this has led to long-term health benefits. The design is a four year follow-up of 298 PACE-Lift participants through three Oxfordshire and Berkshire general practices. The follow-up assessment includes: objective assessment of usual physical activity levels for 7 days, (wearing an accelerometer around their waist); measurement of body size variables; patient reported questionnaire outcomes (physical activity levels, general health, disability, pain, falls, quality of life, depression, anxiety, loneliness); data from general practice and hospital records over the follow-up (consultations, A&E attendance, hospital admissions). Patient and public involvement was present in the original trial design, trial steering committee, individual participant interviews and in participant feedback of trial results, where a future follow-up study was strongly supported. It will continue through continued advisory steering group involvement and in results' dissemination. Local dissemination is planned through practices and the primary care network; national and international dissemination through conference presentations and peer reviewed publications.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0352
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion