Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 Feb 19:11:120.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-120.

West End Walkers 65+: a randomised controlled trial of a primary care-based walking intervention for older adults: study rationale and design

Freya Macmillan  1 , Claire Fitzsimons, Karen Black, Malcolm H Granat, Margaret P Grant, Madeleine Grealy, Hazel Macdonald, Alex McConnachie, David A Rowe, Rebecca Shaw, Dawn A Skelton, Nanette Mutrie
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

West End Walkers 65+: a randomised controlled trial of a primary care-based walking intervention for older adults: study rationale and design

Freya Macmillan et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: In Scotland, older adults are a key target group for physical activity intervention due to the large proportion who are inactive. The health benefits of an active lifestyle are well established but more research is required on the most effective interventions to increase activity in older adults. The 'West End Walkers 65+' randomised controlled trial aims to examine the feasibility of delivering a pedometer-based walking intervention to adults aged 65 years through a primary care setting and to determine the efficacy of this pilot. The study rationale, protocol and recruitment process are discussed in this paper.

Methods/design: The intervention consisted of a 12-week pedometer-based graduated walking programme and physical activity consultations. Participants were randomised into an immediate intervention group (immediate group) or a 12-week waiting list control group (delayed group) who then received the intervention. For the pilot element of this study, the primary outcome measure was pedometer step counts. Secondary outcome measures of sedentary time and physical activity (time spent lying/sitting, standing or walking; activPAL™ monitor), mood (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), functional ability (Perceived Motor-Efficacy Scale for Older Adults), quality of life (Short-Form (36) Health Survey version 2) and loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale) were assessed. Focus groups with participants and semi-structured interviews with the research team captured their experiences of the intervention. The feasibility component of this trial examined recruitment via primary care and retention of participants, appropriateness of the intervention for older adults and the delivery of the intervention by a practice nurse.

Discussion: West End Walkers 65+ will determine the feasibility and pilot the efficacy of delivering a pedometer-based walking intervention through primary care to Scottish adults aged 65 years. The study will also examine the effect of the intervention on the well-being of participants and gain an insight into both participant and research team member experiences of the intervention.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of participant visits through the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Department of Health. On the state of public health: Annual report of the Chief Medical Officer 2009. Department of Health: London; 2010.
    1. Nelson ME, Rejeski WJ, Blair SN, Duncan PW, Judge JO, King AC, Macera CA, Castaneda-Sceppa C. Physical activity and public health in older adults. Recommendation from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2007;116(9):1094–1105. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.185650. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Executive Scottish. The Scottish Health Survey 2009. Crown Copyright: Edinburgh; 2010.
    1. Executive Scottish. let's make Scotland more active: A strategy for physical activity. Crown Copyright: Edinburgh; 2003.
    1. NHS Health Scotland. Five year review of 'Let's Make Scotland More Active' - A strategy for physical activity. NHS Health Scotland: Edinburgh; 2009.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources