Review of primary care-based physical activity intervention studies - Effectiveness and implications for practice and future research

OBJECTIVE To summarize the literature on primary care-based intentions for increasing physical activity and make recommendations fur future research a nd for integrating successful strategies into practice. S EARCH STRATEGIES We searched MEDLINE (1980 to 1998), psychological abstract s, ERIC and HealthStar databases, the Web site for The Journal of Family Pr actice, bibliographics of selected studies, and previous reviews for releva nt articles. The search was limited to the English language. Three experts in the field of physical activity were contacted for leads on unpublished t rials. SELECTION CRITERIA Inclusion criteria were: randomized controlled trial or quasiex-perimental study using a comparison group. intervention delivered o r initiated in 3 primary care setting, and reported results on at least 1 m easure of physical activity. Studies that focused solely on patients with c ardiovascular disease were excluded. MAIN RESULTS Primary care-based physical activity counseling is moderately effective in die short term, although there is considerable variability acr oss studies. Studies in which the interventions were tailored to participan t characteristics and which Offered written materials to patients produced stronger results. Unlike many types of health promotion, the reach of prima ry care-based physical activity interventions is high. Questions remain abo ut the consistency of implementation and long-term maintenance of outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Despite the need fur further research, enough is known to recom mend integration of key strategies of physical activity counseling into rou tine practice. We recommend incorporating these strategies into primary car e and prioritizing them for further research.