OBJECTIVES: To examine the effectiveness of prescription-based counseling and self-monitoring in the promotion of physical activity in primary health care. METHODS: The study was conducted in Finland during 2003-2004. Physicians from 24 health care units (N = 67) were randomized to a prescription or a non-prescription group. The patients (N = 265) were assigned to the groups according to their physician. Every other patient of the non-prescription physicians received a pedometer and a physical activity log (MON) and feedback about their 5-day-recordings, the rest served as controls (CON). PA was assessed prior and 2 and 6 months after the physician's appointment with a questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean increase in weekly overall physical activity at 2 months was 1.0 (95% CI 0.0 to 2.0) session more in the prescription group than in controls. In at least moderate-intensity physical activity, the mean difference in changes was 0.8 (95% CI 0.1 to 1.5) sessions at 2 months and 0.9 (95% CI 0.2 to 1.5) sessions at 6 months for the favor of the prescription group. Compared to controls, self-monitoring increased the weekly duration of overall PA at 2 months on average by 217 min (95% CI 23 to 411). CONCLUSIONS: Prescription can be recommended as a tool for primary health care physicians to promote physical activity. Self-monitoring with an expert feedback can be useful in increasing especially the weekly duration of overall physical activity in the short term.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: To examine the effectiveness of prescription-based counseling and self-monitoring in the promotion of physical activity in primary health care. METHODS: The study was conducted in Finland during 2003-2004. Physicians from 24 health care units (N = 67) were randomized to a prescription or a non-prescription group. The patients (N = 265) were assigned to the groups according to their physician. Every other patient of the non-prescription physicians received a pedometer and a physical activity log (MON) and feedback about their 5-day-recordings, the rest served as controls (CON). PA was assessed prior and 2 and 6 months after the physician's appointment with a questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean increase in weekly overall physical activity at 2 months was 1.0 (95% CI 0.0 to 2.0) session more in the prescription group than in controls. In at least moderate-intensity physical activity, the mean difference in changes was 0.8 (95% CI 0.1 to 1.5) sessions at 2 months and 0.9 (95% CI 0.2 to 1.5) sessions at 6 months for the favor of the prescription group. Compared to controls, self-monitoring increased the weekly duration of overall PA at 2 months on average by 217 min (95% CI 23 to 411). CONCLUSIONS: Prescription can be recommended as a tool for primary health care physicians to promote physical activity. Self-monitoring with an expert feedback can be useful in increasing especially the weekly duration of overall physical activity in the short term.
Authors: Andrew D McRae; Charles Weijer; Ariella Binik; Angela White; Jeremy M Grimshaw; Robert Boruch; Jamie C Brehaut; Allan Donner; Martin P Eccles; Raphael Saginur; Merrick Zwarenstein; Monica Taljaard Journal: Trials Date: 2011-07-26 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: Rebecca E Lee; Ashley V Medina; Scherezade K Mama; Jacqueline Y Reese-Smith; Daniel P O'Connor; Marcella Brosnan; Catherine Cubbin; Tracy McMillan; Paul A Estabrooks Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2011-07-18 Impact factor: 2.226
Authors: Eveliina E Korkiakangas; Maija A Alahuhta; Päivi M Husman; Sirkka Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi; Anja M Taanila; Jaana H Laitinen Journal: Prev Chronic Dis Date: 2010-02-15 Impact factor: 2.830
Authors: Mary L Greaney; Kim Sprunck-Harrild; Gary G Bennett; Elaine Puleo; Jess Haines; K Vish Viswanath; Karen M Emmons Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2012-07-27 Impact factor: 5.428