Web Support for Exercise Referral Schemes (e-coachER) version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A multi-centred RCT of an augmented exercise referral scheme using web-based behavioural support in individuals with metabolic, musculoskeletal and mental health conditions.
IRAS ID
170179
Contact name
Adrian Taylor
Contact email
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN15644451
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 31 days
Research summary
Certain people whose health would benefit from increasing their physical activity are eligible for referral to an exercise specialist by their GP. This service is known as an 'exercise referral scheme' (ERS) or 'exercise on prescription'. The exercise specialist prescribes an exercise regime tailored to that individual's needs, and supports the individual to achieve their goals.
Evidence suggests that whilst such exercise is beneficial, many patients struggle to start or remain engaged with the ERS and so don't get maximum benefit from it.
A support package, created for this trial, is designed to be used in conjunction with the ERS to help motivate people to do more physical activity. The support package is an interactive website plus motivation tools such as a step-counter. Users move through carefully constructed 'steps to success' on the website, the aim being to achieve healthy levels of physical activity over the long-term.
Patients entering an ERS and with the following medical conditions will be recruited from South West England, Birmingham and Glasgow: obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis or history of depression.
Participants will be randomised to have the ERS alone, or ERS plus the e-coachER support package. Physical activity in all participants will be measured using a wrist-worn movement sensor, and by self-report questionnaire, at the start of the trial, and after four and twelve months.
The two groups will be compared to see if adding the e-coachER support package increases the proportion of people who achieve the public health guideline of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, one year after they start the trial. The trial will also investigate whether the addition of e-coachER support results in more patients taking up ERS and remaining with it. There will also be a cost-effectiveness analysis of adding e-coachER support to ERS.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0347
Date of REC Opinion
11 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion