Walk with Me: a protocol for a pilot RCT of a peer-led walking programme to increase physical activity in inactive older adults

Abstract

BackgroundLevels of physical activity decline with age. Some of the most disadvantaged individuals in society, such as those from lower socio-economic position, are also the most inactive. Increasing physical activity levels, particularly among those most inactive, is a public health priority. Peer-led physical activity interventions may offer a model to increase physical activity in the older adult population. This study aims to test the feasibility of a peer-led, multicomponent physical activity intervention in socio-economically disadvantaged community dwelling older adults.MethodsThe Medical Research Council framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions will be used to design and test the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a multicomponent peer-led physical activity intervention. Data will be collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention (12 weeks) and 6 months after baseline measures. The pilot RCT will provide information on recruitment of peer mentors and participants and attrition rates, intervention fidelity, and data on the variability of the primary outcome (minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity measured with an accelerometer). The pilot trail will also assess the acceptability of the intervention and identify potential resources needed to undertake a definitive study. Data analyses will be descriptive and include an evaluation of eligibility, recruitment, and retention rates. The findings will be used to estimate the sample size required for a definitive trial. A detailed process evaluation using qualitative and quantitative methods will be conducted with a variety of stakeholders to identify areas of success and necessary improvements.DiscussionThis paper describes the protocol for the ‘Walk with Me’ pilot RCT which will provide the information necessary to inform the design and delivery of a fully powered trial should the Walk with Me intervention prove feasible.Trial registrationISRCTN Number ISRCTN23051918. Date of registration, November 18, 2015.

Older Women’s Experiences of a Community-Led Walking Programme Using Activity Trackers

“…It is possible that males could have differing opinions and experiences of the monitoring device. However, as Tully et al also found in their CBPR walking study [ 30 ], a disproportionate amount of females over males engage in community walking programmes and our research reflects this naturally occurring gender difference in community exercise participation. In addition, some of our participants had previous experiences of using activity monitoring devices; two participants previously used phone apps for step counting and one used her own wearable device.…”

WeWalk: walking with a buddy after stroke—a pilot study evaluating feasibility and acceptability of a person-centred dyadic behaviour change intervention

“…Dyads with volunteer buddies worked well, bypassing complex relationship challenges, although matching and developing these dyads required time and careful facilitation. Other walking intervention studies have successfully used volunteer buddies [39], and the option should be pursued more extensively for the next WeWalk study phase.…”

We Walk: a person-centred, dyadic behaviour change intervention to promote physical activity through outdoor walking after stroke—an intervention development study

“…Development and feasibility studies of a community-based peer-led walking intervention to increase PA in inactive older people40 reflected similar intervention development processes to We Walk. Authors used social-cognitive theory and a socioecological model to develop and include BCTs; however, the final BCTs and intervention structure aligned with We Walk.…”