The VBI Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The VBI Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial of the efficacy and cost effectiveness of a Very Brief Intervention to increase physical activity among adults attending NHS Health Checks
IRAS ID
128023
Contact name
Stephen Sutton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
609/M/C/1137, Insurance/Indemnity
Research summary
Physical activity can delay or prevent the onset of chronic diseases such as vascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. The majority of adults in England do not meet the government recommendation of at least 30 minutes per day of moderate-intensity activity on at least five days per week. The NHS is conducting Health Checks, in which everyone between 40 and 74 years is invited for an assessment of their risk of vascular disease and offered appropriate management of risk. The Health Checks are an ideal opportunity to deliver brief interventions to promote physical activity to large numbers of people. The present study forms part of a larger programme of on-going (and inter-related) research, funded by an NIHR Programme Grant, which aims to develop and evaluate very brief interventions to increase physical activity that can be delivered in primary care settings.
From our pilot work (12-EE-0200) the brief intervention identified as the most acceptable, effective and feasible to promote physical activity is assessed in this trial. We aim to recruit participants through GP practices in the East of England and for nurses and healthcare assistants to deliver the intervention at the end of the Health Check. Consultations will be monitored for fidelity and length of delivery.
The primary outcome will be an objective measure of physical activity. Participants will wear an accelerometer (ActiGraph), a small device worn around the waist, 3 months after their Health Check. An economic evaluation will be conducted alongside the trial. Data from this trial will be fed into an economic model to provide an estimate of the impact this brief intervention has on life expectancy and quality and to what cost.REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/1004
Date of REC Opinion
21 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion