A randomised controlled trial of an augmented exercise referral scheme using web-based behavioural support for inactive adults with chronic health conditions: the e-coachER trial

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether adding web-based support (e-coachER) to an exercise referral scheme (ERS) increases objectively assessed physical activity (PA). Design: Multicentre trial with participants randomised to usual ERS alone (control) or usual ERS plus e-coachER (intervention). Setting: Primary care and ERS in 3 UK sites from 2015- 2018. Participants: 450 inactive ERS referees with chronic health conditions. Interventions: Participants received a pedometer, PA recording sheets, and a User Guide for the web-based support. e-coachER interactively encouraged the use of the ERS and other PA options. Main outcome measures: Primary and key secondary outcomes were: objective moderate-tovigorous PA (MVPA) minutes (in ≥10 minute bouts and without bouts), respectively, after 12 months. Secondary outcomes were: other accelerometer-derived and self-reported PA measures, ERS attendance, EQ-5D-5L, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and beliefs about PA. All outcomes were collected at baseline, 4 and 12 months. Primary analysis was an intention to treat comparison between intervention and control arms at 12 months follow-up. Results: There was no significant effect of the intervention on weekly MVPA at 12 months between the groups recorded in ≥10 minute bouts (mean difference 11.8 minutes of MVPA, 95% CI -2.1 to 26.0; p=0.10) or without bouts (mean difference 13.7 minutes of MVPA, 95% CI -26.8 to 54.2; p=0.51) for 232 participants with usable data. There was no difference in the primary or secondary PA outcomes at 4 or 12 months. Conclusion: Augmenting ERS referrals with web-based behavioural support had only a weak, nonsignificant effect on MVPA.