Exploring the Acceptability of "Move a Little and Often"- a Behaviour Change Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behaviours in People With Long Term Conditions and Symptoms of Depression.

There is a growing focus in research on the need to reduce sedentary behaviours. Studies have shown that independently of moderate to vigorous physical activity, the amount of time spent sedentary predicts poorer health outcomes. This means that in addition to exercising, it is important to reduce prolonged periods of sedentary behaviours to improve health. For people with depression and long term conditions, milder forms of physical activity may be more appropriate due to higher levels of pain and fatigue resulting from exercise. Reducing sedentary behaviours by substituting them with mild physical activities such as walking is a potential avenue to improve health outcomes in this population group.

To date, no intervention has been developed to reduce prolonged periods of sedentariness in people with depression and long term health conditions within the UK. This feasibility study aims to refine a behaviour change intervention to reduce sedentary time in this population group. The intervention has been developed through reviewing the literature on interventions to increase physical activity (a systematic review), an interview study to explore sedentary and physical activity behaviours within this population group, and through patient and public involvement.