We found little evidence of effectiveness of HRLAs for promotion of exercise/improved diets .
Conclusions Overall , there is limited evidence suggesting that HRLAs are cost-effective in terms of changing health-related knowledge , behaviours or health outcomes .
The evidence that does exist indicates that HRLAs are only cost-effective when they target behaviours likely to have a large impact on overall health-related quality of life .
Background Development of new peer or lay health-related lifestyle advisor ( HRLA ) roles is one response to the need to enhance public engagement in , and improve cost-effectiveness of , health improvement interventions .
This article synthesis es evidence on the cost-effectiveness of HRLA interventions aim ed at adults in developed countries , derived from the first systematic review of the effectiveness , cost-effectiveness , equity and acceptability of different types of HRLA role .
A randomized controlled study of the Arthritis Self-Management Programme in the UK.
The objective of this study was to determine whether the Arthritis Self-Management Programme ( ASMP ) improves perceptions of control , health behaviours and health status , and changes use of health care re sources . The design was a pragmatic r and omized controlled study ; participants were allocated to ASMP ( Intervention Group ) or a 4-month waiting-list Control Group . The Intervention Group completed a 12-month follow-up . In total , 544 people with arthritis were recruited from the community--311 in the Intervention Group and 233 in the Control Group . Main outcome measures included : arthritis self-efficacy , health behaviours ( exercise , cognitive symptom management , diet and relaxation ) and health status ( pain , fatigue , anxiety , depression and positive affect ) . At 4 months follow-up , the ASMP had a significant effect on arthritis self-efficacy for other symptoms and pain subscales . Performance of a range of health behaviours ( cognitive symptom management , communication with physicians , dietary habit , exercise and relaxation ) was significantly greater among the Intervention Group . The Intervention Group were significantly less depressed and had greater positive mood . In addition , trends towards decreases on fatigue and anxiety were noted . Physical functioning , pain and GP visits remained stable at 4 months . A similar pattern of findings was found at 12 months follow-up for the Intervention Group . Furthermore , a significant improvement was found on pain and visits to GPs had decreased . Apart from a small improvement on physical functioning among the Intervention Group participants with osteoarthritis 12 months , all effects were independent of the type of arthritis . The findings suggest that the ASMP is effective in promoting improvements in perception of control , health behaviours and health status , when delivered in UK setting
We found little evidence of effectiveness of HRLAs for promotion of exercise/improved diets .
Conclusions Overall , there is limited evidence suggesting that HRLAs are cost-effective in terms of changing health-related knowledge , behaviours or health outcomes .
The evidence that does exist indicates that HRLAs are only cost-effective when they target behaviours likely to have a large impact on overall health-related quality of life .
Background Development of new peer or lay health-related lifestyle advisor ( HRLA ) roles is one response to the need to enhance public engagement in , and improve cost-effectiveness of , health improvement interventions .
This article synthesis es evidence on the cost-effectiveness of HRLA interventions aim ed at adults in developed countries , derived from the first systematic review of the effectiveness , cost-effectiveness , equity and acceptability of different types of HRLA role .