The Role of Intermediaries in Connecting Individuals to Local Physical Activity - Study Protocol
NCT ID: NCT06260995
Last Updated: 2024-12-09
Study Results
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Basic Information
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ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
30 participants
OBSERVATIONAL
2023-09-01
2025-03-30
Brief Summary
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This project will investigate if connecting to physical activities through an intermediary can improve health and wellbeing. It will also investigate people's experiences of working with an intermediary. This project is a pilot feasibility study, which means the investigators are evaluating the measures used and the way the trial is designed to see if they are suitable for a larger study in the future.
Detailed Description
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Physical inactivity is a major issue affecting health, and was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Effective methods of physical activity promotion are needed. An 'intermediary' is an emerging method to address the problem of physical inactivity. Intermediaries are health-related workers who support individuals to improve their health and wellbeing by facilitating connections to local physical activities. Preliminary evidence for this intervention is positive for improving physical activity levels and wellbeing, but is based on trials using less robust designs. When evaluating complex interventions, feasibility testing is recommended in order to make decisions about progression to the evaluation phase.
METHODS
This will be a non-randomized mixed methods pilot feasibility study. This overall aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of an intervention delivered by an intermediary to improve physical activity and health-related outcomes of community-dwelling adults. Participants will be recruited through two types of intermediary services in Ireland; social prescribing and local sports partnerships. A total of 30 participants will be recruited (15 per service). This study comprises two strands. Strand 1 is a non-randomized prospective cohort study. A baseline assessment will be taken upon enrolment on to the study. Baseline demographic information will be taken and three questionnaires will be completed: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form, Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale and Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. The questionnaires will be repeated after 12 weeks. Strand 2 is a qualitative phase consisting of semi-structured exit interviews with intervention participants conducted at the 12-week follow-up assessment. These will be carried out to explore intervention content and delivery, as well as acceptability of the intervention and evaluation design. In addition, study gatekeepers will be asked to keep a record of how many clients they had contact with, how many people were approached about the study, and the reasons for refusal to take part in the study. Semi-structured interviews will also be conducted with gatekeepers at the end of the recruitment period to explore the acceptability of the recruitment methods.
DISCUSSION
This study will investigate the feasibility of the intervention delivered by an intermediary, and any indications of change in physical activity and health-related outcomes. It will also investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the evaluation design, specifically recruitment methods and choice of outcome measures.
Conditions
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Keywords
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Study Design
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COHORT
PROSPECTIVE
Study Groups
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Social Prescribing
Participants are those who are referred or self-referred to a social prescribing link worker for any reason and who undergo an intervention delivered by an intermediary i.e., undergo assessment, follow-up, and onward connection to local physical activities.
Social Prescribing Link Worker Intermediary Intervention
Social prescribing link workers \[SPLW\] receive referrals from healthcare professionals, community services, or through self-referral. Individuals are referred for social isolation or social needs, frequent healthcare attendance, or to address a pre-existing health issue. SPLW carry out an in-depth assessment of the individual's needs, and then work with the individual over weeks and months to connect them to community services and supports, which can include local physical activities. They use several strategies during this follow-up period, such as instrumental support (doing things for the individual), empowerment and motivation techniques and/or attending activities with the individual. After the SPLW establishes a connection to a local physical activity, the individual enrols and participates in the chosen activity. Local physical activities can include walking groups, local gyms and leisure centres, chair-based exercise, outdoor activities, yoga and tai chi.
Local Sports Partnership
Participants are those who are referred or self-referred to a local sports partnership community development officer for any reason and who undergo an intervention delivered by an intermediary i.e., undergo assessment, follow-up, and onward connection to local physical activities.
Local Sports Partnership Community Development Officer Intervention
Local sports partnership community development officers \[LSPO\] mainly receive self-referrals, or can receive referrals, to improve physical activity levels of individuals through participation in physical activity groups delivered by the partnership. LSPO do not carry out an in-depth assessment but may carry out screening before explaining/signposting to local physical activities. They use several strategies to connect the individual to local physical activities, such as attending the first session of the group, providing reassurance and practical support, and keeping the person updated and informed as to upcoming groups. After the LSPO establishes a connection to a local physical activity, the individual enrols and participated in the chosen activity. The LSPO continues to support this engagement during the follow-up period. Local physical activities can include walking groups, local gyms and leisure centres, chair-based exercise, outdoor activities, yoga and tai chi amongst others.
Interventions
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Social Prescribing Link Worker Intermediary Intervention
Social prescribing link workers \[SPLW\] receive referrals from healthcare professionals, community services, or through self-referral. Individuals are referred for social isolation or social needs, frequent healthcare attendance, or to address a pre-existing health issue. SPLW carry out an in-depth assessment of the individual's needs, and then work with the individual over weeks and months to connect them to community services and supports, which can include local physical activities. They use several strategies during this follow-up period, such as instrumental support (doing things for the individual), empowerment and motivation techniques and/or attending activities with the individual. After the SPLW establishes a connection to a local physical activity, the individual enrols and participates in the chosen activity. Local physical activities can include walking groups, local gyms and leisure centres, chair-based exercise, outdoor activities, yoga and tai chi.
Local Sports Partnership Community Development Officer Intervention
Local sports partnership community development officers \[LSPO\] mainly receive self-referrals, or can receive referrals, to improve physical activity levels of individuals through participation in physical activity groups delivered by the partnership. LSPO do not carry out an in-depth assessment but may carry out screening before explaining/signposting to local physical activities. They use several strategies to connect the individual to local physical activities, such as attending the first session of the group, providing reassurance and practical support, and keeping the person updated and informed as to upcoming groups. After the LSPO establishes a connection to a local physical activity, the individual enrols and participated in the chosen activity. The LSPO continues to support this engagement during the follow-up period. Local physical activities can include walking groups, local gyms and leisure centres, chair-based exercise, outdoor activities, yoga and tai chi amongst others.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Referred to intermediary service for any reason OR self-referred to intermediary service for any reason
* Meets the eligibility criteria of the intermediary service
* Intermediary facilitates a connection to local physical activity
Exclusion Criteria
* Diagnosis of dementia
* Inappropriate for health or social reasons (such as terminal illness, family or other social crisis)
* Refused to engage with the intermediary service
* Unable to give explicit informed consent
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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University of Dublin, Trinity College
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Megan O'Grady
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigators
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Megan O'Grady
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin
Emer Barrett, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin
Deirdre Connolly, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin
Locations
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University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin
Dublin, , Ireland
Countries
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References
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O'Grady M, Connolly D, Barrett E. The role of intermediaries in connecting individuals to local physical activity - protocol for a pilot feasibility trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2024 Jul 9;41:101332. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101332. eCollection 2024 Oct.
Related Links
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Preprint article
Other Identifiers
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Ref: 230603
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id