PACERS: Physical ACtivity monitors in an Exercise Referral Setting v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The use of accelorometry-based activity monitors and linked web portal to enhance long-term maintenance of Physical ACtivity in adults: A pilot trial in an Exercise Referral Setting [PACERS].
IRAS ID
189587
Contact name
Jemma Hawkins
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
ISRCTN Number
85785652
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
Low levels of physical activity are associated with an increased risk of chronic disease outcomes. The majority of adults in Wales do not currently achieve public health recommendations for physical activity. Interventions to increase individuals’ physical activity levels, such as exercise referral schemes, have had mixed successes to date, and have often only demonstrated effects in the short term. In Wales, a trial of the National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) demonstrated small but significant impacts on physical activity at 12 month follow-up, though effects were limited to patients referred with coronary heart disease risk factors.
This study seeks to assess the feasibility of adding a new motivational component to an existing effective intervention in order to enhance the effects of NERS, and support longer-term maintenance of physical activity. The new component involves a combination of a physical activity monitor (MyWellnessKey) and an associated web-based support system (MyWellnessCloud). Research suggests that activity monitors may enhance physical activity levels and long-term maintenance by allowing the user to set goals and monitor how well they are doing. This study will enhance our understandings of how to integrate such technologies into existing exercise programmes, and will provide an assessment of feasibility and acceptability to inform whether and how to proceed to a full effectiveness trial.
In order to test how acceptable and feasible this new component is we are conducting a pilot trial and a process evaluation to understand implementation processes. We will recruit NERS participants to take part in the study. Participants will be put randomly into a group to either receive the activity monitor in addition to the usual NERS programme (intervention group) or to simply the receive the usual NERS programme (control group).We will analyse data that is normally collected as part of NERS including participants’ self-reported physical activity levels, fitness, height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, general health and well-being. We will also collect data about participants’ levels of motivation for physical activity. Data will be collected at the start of the study (baseline) and at three follow-up points: when participants exit NERS after 16 weeks; at 12-months after baseline; and then at 16-months where we will measure physical activity. We will explore whether using the activity monitors leads to an increase in levels of motivation for physical activity by comparing motivation at baseline, 16 weeks and 12-month follow-up in the intervention and control groups. We will interview participants to explore their experiences of using the activity monitors.
The study has been funded by Health and Care Research Wales.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
15/SS/0208
Date of REC Opinion
1 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion