Robert J Petrella1, Chastity N Lattanzio. 1. Departments of Family Medicine, Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, School of Kinesiology, Health Sciences Department, University of Western Ontario, London. petrella@julian.uwo.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of counseling patients to become more physically active. DATA SOURCES: PubMed was searched for articles during the past 30 years on physicians promoting physical activity. Identified studies were cross-referenced, and experts were consulted for additional articles. STUDY SELECTION: Thirteen articles described primary care counseling on exercise. Six studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs); seven were quasi-experimental designs. Three of the four RCTs and three of the five quasi-experimental studies were short term (4 weeks to 2 months); the remaining three trials lasted longer than 6 months. Most studies used strategies to address stage of change. SYNTHESIS: Outcome measures included adoption of physical activity, stage of change, and change in physical activity level. Most studies found positive relationships between counseling and these outcomes. No reliable evaluation instruments were found, nor was the long-term effect of interventions established. CONCLUSION: Interventions that included written materials for patients, considered behaviour change strategies, and provided training and materials for physicians were effective at increasing levels of physical activity. New strategies that involve measuring and prescribing specific amounts of exercise might also improve fitness levels and hence improve outcomes of chronic disease. Shortcomings of these studies include lack of long-term data, lack of sustaining activities for family physicians, and scant cost-efficacy analysis.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of counseling patients to become more physically active. DATA SOURCES: PubMed was searched for articles during the past 30 years on physicians promoting physical activity. Identified studies were cross-referenced, and experts were consulted for additional articles. STUDY SELECTION: Thirteen articles described primary care counseling on exercise. Six studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs); seven were quasi-experimental designs. Three of the four RCTs and three of the five quasi-experimental studies were short term (4 weeks to 2 months); the remaining three trials lasted longer than 6 months. Most studies used strategies to address stage of change. SYNTHESIS: Outcome measures included adoption of physical activity, stage of change, and change in physical activity level. Most studies found positive relationships between counseling and these outcomes. No reliable evaluation instruments were found, nor was the long-term effect of interventions established. CONCLUSION: Interventions that included written materials for patients, considered behaviour change strategies, and provided training and materials for physicians were effective at increasing levels of physical activity. New strategies that involve measuring and prescribing specific amounts of exercise might also improve fitness levels and hence improve outcomes of chronic disease. Shortcomings of these studies include lack of long-term data, lack of sustaining activities for family physicians, and scant cost-efficacy analysis.
Authors: B J Long; K J Calfas; W Wooten; J F Sallis; K Patrick; M Goldstein; B H Marcus; T L Schwenk; J Chenoweth; R Carter; T Torres; L A Palinkas; G Heath Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 1996 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: R R Pate; M Pratt; S N Blair; W L Haskell; C A Macera; C Bouchard; D Buchner; W Ettinger; G W Heath; A C King Journal: JAMA Date: 1995-02-01 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Alan Katz; Anita Lambert-Lanning; Anthony Miller; Barbara Kaminsky; Jennifer Enns Journal: Can Fam Physician Date: 2012-01 Impact factor: 3.275
Authors: Fatima Al Sayah; Calypse Agborsangaya; Markus Lahtinen; Tim Cooke; Jeffrey A Johnson Journal: Can Fam Physician Date: 2014-02 Impact factor: 3.275