The Newcastle exercise project: a randomised controlled trial of methods, to promote physical activity in primary care

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of combinations of three methods to promote physical activity. Design Randomised controlled trial. Baseline assessment with post-intervent ion follow up at 12 weeks and 1 year, Setting One urban general practice, 1995-7. Participants 523 adults aged 40 to 64 years, randomised to four interventio n groups and a control group. Interventions Brief (one interview) or intensive (six interviews over 12 we eks) motivational interviewing based on the stages of change model of behav iour change, with or without financial incentive (30 vouchers entitling fre e access to leisure facilities). Main outcome measures Physical activity score; sessions of moderate and vig orous activity in die preceding four weeks. Results Response rate was 81% at 12 weeks and 85% at one year. More partici pants in the intervention group reported increased physical activity scores at 12 weeks than controls (38% v 16%, difference 22%, 95% confidence inter val for difference 13% to 32%), with a 55% increase observed in those offer ed six interviews plus vouchers. Vigorous activity increased in 29% of inte rvention participants and 11% of controls (difference 18%, 10% to 26%), but differences between the intervention groups were not significant. short te rm increases in activity were not sustained, regardless of intensity of int ervention. Conclusions The most effective intervention for promoting adoption of exerc ise was the most intensive. Even this did not promote long term adherence t o exercise. Brief interventions promoting physical activity that are used b y many schemes in the United Kingdom are questionable effectiveness.