[Effectiveness of clinical counseling after increasing physical activity. A prospective randomized study]

Abstract

Background and objective: There is enough evidence about how physical activity decreases the risk of some chronic diseases; although there are few studies that value the effectiveness of clinical counseling on increase physical activity levels on the population. There is no information about the effectiveness of clinical counseling on decreasing other non-healthy habits, like smoking.

Patients and method: After measure the amount of physical activity on adult population, we selected the group with light level (< 143 Kcal/day), dividing them in two random groups: intervention, that received sanitary advice on increase physical activity on free time, and control, without this intervention. On both, we inquire about physical activity and healthy habits 12 months after the intervention.

Results: After twelve months, in the intervention group we observed a mean increase of 1,766 cal/week (95% confidence interval [CI], 1,400-2,132) vs 488 (95% CI, 295-520) in control group (p < .001). 69% of patients from intervention group made intense physical activity vs 15% from controls (p < .001). Control group also improved health-self perception and had a significant reduction on cigarettes consumption.

Conclusions: Sanitary counseling is efficient on improving physical activity on leisure. An added benefit is to gain better self-perception health and smoking cessation.