Process evaluation of the Walk Well study: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a community based walking programme for adults with intellectual disabilities
Abstract Background Walking interventions can be effective in encouraging sedentary populations to become more active; however, limited research has explored the effectiveness of walking interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities. This process evaluation explored the delivery of a commu...
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doaj-468938cb236645a2b9d424322d7f9ad32020-11-24T21:29:01ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582016-07-0116111110.1186/s12889-016-3179-6Process evaluation of the Walk Well study: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a community based walking programme for adults with intellectual disabilitiesLynsay Matthews0Fiona Mitchell1Kirsten Stalker2Alex McConnachie3Heather Murray4Chris Melling5Nanette Mutrie6Craig Melville7Institute of Health and Wellbeing, MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of GlasgowDepartment of Physical Activity for Health, University of StrathclydeGlasgow School of Social Work, University of StrathclydeInstitute of Health and Wellbeing, Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of GlasgowInstitute of Health and Wellbeing, Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of GlasgowSocial Work Services, Glasgow City CouncilInstitute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences, Moray House School of Education, University of EdinburghInstitute of Health and Wellbeing, Academic Unit for Mental Health & Wellbeing, University of GlasgowAbstract Background Walking interventions can be effective in encouraging sedentary populations to become more active; however, limited research has explored the effectiveness of walking interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities. This process evaluation explored the delivery of a community based walking intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities. Methods Walk Well was a single-blind cluster randomised controlled trial of a 12-week physical activity consultation-led walking intervention. 102 participants were randomised to the Walk Well intervention or a waiting list control group. Participants in the intervention group received three physical activity consultations with a walking advisor at baseline, 6 & 12-weeks. They were encouraged to use a pedometer to set goals and monitor their daily step count. Primary outcome was change in daily step count at 12-weeks. Process evaluation measures included qualitative interviews with key stakeholders (n = 6) and quantifiable data collected as part of the intervention. Additional process data were extracted from a sub-set of qualitative interviews with participants and carers (n = 20). Data were analysed for process information related to context, recruitment and retention, reach, implementation, and fidelity. Results Walk Well was not effective in significantly increasing levels of physical activity. The process evaluation did, however, highlight several important areas for consideration in future studies, including: a successful recruitment and retention strategy reaching a representative sample of adults with intellectual disabilities in the community; feasible and (for most) enjoyable methods of engaging adults with intellectual disabilities in activities to support behaviour change; potential need for greater intervention duration and frequency of contact; advantages and disadvantages of using pedometers as a behaviour change tool; the need for strategies which engage carers in supporting participants; and the complex issue of ‘freedom of choice’ in relation to lifestyle behaviours and study participation. Conclusions Walking interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities can be feasibly delivered in the community in relation to reach, recruitment, retention and intervention fidelity. More intensive intervention methods need to be explored as well as strategies to engage and motivate carers in their support of participants. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN50494254 (3rd April 2012).http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3179-6Process evaluationIntellectual disabilitiesPhysical activityWalkingBehaviour changePedometers |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Lynsay Matthews Fiona Mitchell Kirsten Stalker Alex McConnachie Heather Murray Chris Melling Nanette Mutrie Craig Melville |
spellingShingle |
Lynsay Matthews Fiona Mitchell Kirsten Stalker Alex McConnachie Heather Murray Chris Melling Nanette Mutrie Craig Melville Process evaluation of the Walk Well study: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a community based walking programme for adults with intellectual disabilities BMC Public Health Process evaluation Intellectual disabilities Physical activity Walking Behaviour change Pedometers |
author_facet |
Lynsay Matthews Fiona Mitchell Kirsten Stalker Alex McConnachie Heather Murray Chris Melling Nanette Mutrie Craig Melville |
author_sort |
Lynsay Matthews |
title |
Process evaluation of the Walk Well study: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a community based walking programme for adults with intellectual disabilities |
title_short |
Process evaluation of the Walk Well study: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a community based walking programme for adults with intellectual disabilities |
title_full |
Process evaluation of the Walk Well study: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a community based walking programme for adults with intellectual disabilities |
title_fullStr |
Process evaluation of the Walk Well study: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a community based walking programme for adults with intellectual disabilities |
title_full_unstemmed |
Process evaluation of the Walk Well study: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a community based walking programme for adults with intellectual disabilities |
title_sort |
process evaluation of the walk well study: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a community based walking programme for adults with intellectual disabilities |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
BMC Public Health |
issn |
1471-2458 |
publishDate |
2016-07-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Walking interventions can be effective in encouraging sedentary populations to become more active; however, limited research has explored the effectiveness of walking interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities. This process evaluation explored the delivery of a community based walking intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities. Methods Walk Well was a single-blind cluster randomised controlled trial of a 12-week physical activity consultation-led walking intervention. 102 participants were randomised to the Walk Well intervention or a waiting list control group. Participants in the intervention group received three physical activity consultations with a walking advisor at baseline, 6 & 12-weeks. They were encouraged to use a pedometer to set goals and monitor their daily step count. Primary outcome was change in daily step count at 12-weeks. Process evaluation measures included qualitative interviews with key stakeholders (n = 6) and quantifiable data collected as part of the intervention. Additional process data were extracted from a sub-set of qualitative interviews with participants and carers (n = 20). Data were analysed for process information related to context, recruitment and retention, reach, implementation, and fidelity. Results Walk Well was not effective in significantly increasing levels of physical activity. The process evaluation did, however, highlight several important areas for consideration in future studies, including: a successful recruitment and retention strategy reaching a representative sample of adults with intellectual disabilities in the community; feasible and (for most) enjoyable methods of engaging adults with intellectual disabilities in activities to support behaviour change; potential need for greater intervention duration and frequency of contact; advantages and disadvantages of using pedometers as a behaviour change tool; the need for strategies which engage carers in supporting participants; and the complex issue of ‘freedom of choice’ in relation to lifestyle behaviours and study participation. Conclusions Walking interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities can be feasibly delivered in the community in relation to reach, recruitment, retention and intervention fidelity. More intensive intervention methods need to be explored as well as strategies to engage and motivate carers in their support of participants. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN50494254 (3rd April 2012). |
topic |
Process evaluation Intellectual disabilities Physical activity Walking Behaviour change Pedometers |
url |
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3179-6 |
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