An Evaluation of the Active Herts Physical Activity Programme

• Conditions: Physical Activity
• Interventions: Behavioral: Active Herts

• Registration Number: NCT03153098
• Lead Sponsor: University of East Anglia

Brief Summary

There is a high prevalence of inactive adults in the United Kingdom (UK), many of whom suffer from conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor mental health. These problems often co-exist more frequently in areas of higher socio-economic deprivation. There is an ongoing need to test the effectiveness, acceptability, and sustainability of community physical activity interventions. The Active Herts programme is a community physical activity programme aimed at inactive adults aged 16 and over who have one or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or a mild to moderate mental health condition. The programme uses the latest evidence-based behaviour change techniques to target physical activity, wellbeing, and key drivers of behaviour from the COM-B ('Capability', 'Opportunity', 'Motivation' and 'Behaviour') model of behaviour change.

This evaluation will follow a mixed-methods longitudinal (baseline, and 3, 6 and 12 month follow-ups) pragmatic observational design. Two types of programme are being delivered, each in a different area. In one, group participants will receive a behaviour change technique booklet, consultations (baseline, and optional at 3, 6, and 12 months), a booster phone call (week 2), motivational text messages (weeks 3, 6, and 12), and signposting to 12 weeks of exercise classes. In the other 'enhanced delivery' group, participants will receive the same but the 12 weeks of exercise will be free and tailored to their needs, and there will be optional exercise 'buddies' available. An outcome evaluation will assess changes in physical activity as the primary outcome, and sporting participation, sitting, wellbeing, psychological capability, and reflective motivation as secondary outcomes. A process evaluation will use both one-to-one interviews and focus groups to explore the views of stakeholders, delivery staff, and participants over three phases (set-up, deviations in the delivery of the intervention, and looking back over the intervention). Economic evaluation will examine the costs of the Active Herts programme against the benefits gained in terms of reduced risk of morbidity from a range of chronic conditions.

This study will measure key drivers of physical activity using up to date behaviour change theory, allowing evaluation of not only whether physical activity has increased but also why. The research will inform the future development of a scalable intervention that can be more robustly tested in a randomised controlled trial.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2016-01-07
• Status Verified: 2017-04
• Study First Submitted: 2017-05-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-05-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-05-12
• Study First Posted: 2017-05-15
• Last Update Posted: 2017-05-15
• Primary Completion: 2019-01-07
• Study Completion: 2019-01-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 739

Inclusion Criteria

• inactive adults and do less than 30mins of physical activity per week
• aged 16 or over
• resident of Hertfordshire boroughs, including Broxbourne, Hertsmere, Stevenage or Watford

Referred patients and clients may also have:

• a long term medical condition such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol etc.
• a mild to moderate mental health condition such as anxiety, depression or stress
• a history or family history of heart disease

Exclusion Criteria

• participants not able to give informed consent

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Enhanced delivery	Active Herts	Participants will receive the same as intervention but the 12 weeks of exercise will be free and tailored to their needs, and there will be optional exercise 'buddies' available.
Standard delivery	Active Herts	Participants will receive a behaviour change technique booklet, consultations (baseline, and optional at 3, 6, and 12 months), a booster phone call (week 2), motivational text messages (weeks 3, 6, and 12), and signposting to 12 weeks of exercise classes.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Physical activity from baseline	12 months	Assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in perceptions of health from baseline	Short term (3 months), longer term (6 and 12 months)	EuroQOL five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D)
Change in mental well-being from baseline	Short term (3 months), longer term (6 and 12 months)	Assessed using Warwick Edinburgh well-being scale
Readiness to change behaviour	Short term (3 months), longer term (6 and 12 months)	Key determinants of behaviour - measured using COM-B Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of East Anglia; 🇬🇧 Norwich, United Kingdom