An Evaluation of the Active Herts Physical Activity Programme

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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There is a high prevalence of inactive adults in the United Kingdom (UK), many of whom suffer from conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor mental health. These problems often co-exist more frequently in areas of higher socio-economic deprivation. There is an ongoing need to test the effectiveness, acceptability, and sustainability of community physical activity interventions. The Active Herts programme is a community physical activity programme aimed at inactive adults aged 16 and over who have one or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or a mild to moderate mental health condition. The programme uses the latest evidence-based behaviour change techniques to target physical activity, wellbeing, and key drivers of behaviour from the COM-B ('Capability', 'Opportunity', 'Motivation' and 'Behaviour') model of behaviour change. This evaluation will follow a mixed-methods longitudinal (baseline, and 3, 6 and 12 month follow-ups) pragmatic observational design. Two types of programme are being delivered, each in a different area. In one, group participants will receive a behaviour change technique booklet, consultations (baseline, and optional at 3, 6, and 12 months), a booster phone call (week 2), motivational text messages (weeks 3, 6, and 12), and signposting to 12 weeks of exercise classes. In the other 'enhanced delivery' group, participants will receive the same but the 12 weeks of exercise will be free and tailored to their needs, and there will be optional exercise 'buddies' available. An outcome evaluation will assess changes in physical activity as the primary outcome, and sporting participation, sitting, wellbeing, psychological capability, and reflective motivation as secondary outcomes. A process evaluation will use both one-to-one interviews and focus groups to explore the views of stakeholders, delivery staff, and participants over three phases (set-up, deviations in the delivery of the intervention, and looking back over the intervention). Economic evaluation will examine the costs of the Active Herts programme against the benefits gained in terms of reduced risk of morbidity from a range of chronic conditions. This study will measure key drivers of physical activity using up to date behaviour change theory, allowing evaluation of not only whether physical activity has increased but also why. The research will inform the future development of a scalable intervention that can be more robustly tested in a randomised controlled trial.

Official Title
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Physical Activity Promotion in Areas of Deprivation for Inactive Adults With Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk: An Evaluation of Active Herts

Conditions
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Physical Activity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Active Herts


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: inactive adults and do less than 30mins of physical activity per week aged 16 or over resident of Hertfordshire boroughs, including Broxbourne, Hertsmere, Stevenage or Watford Referred patients and clients may also have: a long term medical condition such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol etc. a mild to moderate mental health condition such as anxiety, depression or stress a history or family history of heart disease Exclusion Criteria: participants not able to give informed consent

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 16 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Standard delivery<br>Participants will receive a behaviour change technique booklet, consultations (baseline, and optional at 3, 6, and 12 months), a booster phone call (week 2), motivational text messages (weeks 3, 6, and 12), and signposting to 12 weeks of exercise classes. | Behavioral: Active Herts<br>* Active Herts is a community physical activity intervention aimed at inactive adults aged 16 and over who have one or more risk factors for CVD and/or a mild to moderate mental health condition. The programme uses the latest evidence-based behaviour change techniques to target physical activity, wellbeing, and key drivers of behaviour from the COM-B model of behaviour change.<br>* Other names: Healthy and Active In Herts;|
| Enhanced delivery<br>Participants will receive the same as intervention but the 12 weeks of exercise will be free and tailored to their needs, and there will be optional exercise 'buddies' available. | Behavioral: Active Herts<br>* Active Herts is a community physical activity intervention aimed at inactive adults aged 16 and over who have one or more risk factors for CVD and/or a mild to moderate mental health condition. The programme uses the latest evidence-based behaviour change techniques to target physical activity, wellbeing, and key drivers of behaviour from the COM-B model of behaviour change.<br>* Other names: Healthy and Active In Herts;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Physical activity from baseline | Assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in mental well-being from baseline | Assessed using Warwick Edinburgh well-being scale | Short term (3 months), longer term (6 and 12 months) | 
| Change in perceptions of health from baseline | EuroQOL five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) | Short term (3 months), longer term (6 and 12 months) | 
| Readiness to change behaviour | Key determinants of behaviour - measured using COM-B Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation | Short term (3 months), longer term (6 and 12 months) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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physical activity, intervention, behaviour change, inactive adults, behaviour change techniques, well-being