Travel to Work Cluster RCT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effectiveness and cost effectiveness of an employer-led intervention to increase walking during the daily commute: Cluster randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
195254
Contact name
Suzanne Audrey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN15009100
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
Increasing physical activity levels, particularly among the most inactive, is an important aim of current public health policy to help prevent chronic diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers. The aim of this study is to examine whether it is possible to increase the amount of walking that people do during their journeys to and from work. The research will also examine whether it is a good use of money to try to increase walking in this way. Approximately 84 workplaces across three research sites in Bristol, Bath and Swansea will be recruited. Employees who do not always walk or cycle to work already will be asked if they would like to take part in the study. In 42 workplaces, Walk to Work promoters will be recruited and trained to encourage other employees to walk during their commute journey to and from work. The other 42 workplaces will carry on as usual. Physical activity and travel mode will be compared between people in workplaces that received the program and those who did not. The study will take place in a range of small-, medium- and large-sized workplaces. Everyone taking part will be asked to wear accelerometers to measure their physical activity for seven days at the beginning of the study and again a year later. They will also be asked to wear GPS monitors to check how much of their activity takes place on the journey to and from work and to complete travel diaries and questionnaires. Some of the employees, employers and promoters will be interviewed about their views and experiences of the study. The costs and benefits to employers and employees will also be recorded and analysed to see if the intervention is good value for money.
REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A