e-coachER study findings

A randomised controlled trial exploring the effects of adding web-based coaching to an exercise referral scheme as a way to increase physical activity

Summary

Does adding ‘e-coachER support’ to exercise referral schemes improve participants’ physical activity level in the long term (and is this good value for money)?

450 people referred to an exercise referral scheme took part in a study to answer this question. Participants were randomly assigned to receive the usual exercise referral scheme as offered in �鶹��ý, Birmingham or Glasgow,or the usual plus some additional support.

The e-coachER support was a package that included: access to an interactive website that guided participants over several weeks through seven steps to increase physical activity; a pedometer to record step counts; and a weekly notepad to help with self-monitoring and goal-setting.

All participants filled out surveys and wore a motion sensor (accelerometer) to measure physical activity level for one week at the start of the study, and then at four and twelve months later. This information was compared for the two groups.

We found that participants with access to e-coachER support were only slightly more active at twelve months compared to those who did not have access. We found that e-coachER support can be provided at a relatively low cost to the NHS.

Some participants agreed to be interviewed about the study and from this we have identified a number of ways in which the e-coachER support could be improved.

We are very grateful to all the participants that contributed to the e-coachER study which has helped us to better understand what the challenges are in supporting people with chronic conditions such as being overweight, having osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and low mood to improve their health by becoming more physically active.

We welcome your comments on the findings and if you would like to get in touch, please email: PenCTU@plymouth.ac.uk.

Thank you.

Introduction to the e-coachER study

When health-care professionals refer patients with chronic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, lower limb osteoarthritis and poor mental health to an exercise referral scheme, the effects on long-term increases in physical activity, which may help to manage these conditions, are limited as far as we know. We therefore developed the e-coachER support package to add to usual exercise referral schemes and to prompt the use of personal skills such as self-monitoring of amount of physical activity and setting goals to be more physically active.

This package was also intended to empower people to increase their levels of physical activity as a way of improving their health over 9 months and more. The seven-step programme was delivered online (via an interactive website). As part of the package, we mailed participants a guide for accessing the online support, a pedometer to monitor daily steps, and a fridge magnet with a notepad to record physical activity.

We aimed to determine whether or not adding the e-coachER support to usual exercise referral schemes resulted in lasting changes in moderate and vigorous physical activity and whether or not it offers good value for money compared with exercise referral schemes alone.

Methods and Results

Methods

A total of 450 inactive individuals were recruited across