SynthesisThe international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity2024
Are physical activity referral scheme components associated with increased physical activity, scheme uptake, and adherence rate? A meta-analysis and meta-regression.
Synthesis in The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Dietary and Nutrition Interventions for Breast Cancer Survivors: An Umbrella Review.Nutrients · 2025Pooled it
- Effectiveness of Physical Activity with Sports Scientist (PASS) Programme Among Patients with Non-Communicable Diseases in Primary Care: A Randomised Controlled Trial.Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Trial
- Barriers and Facilitators of Exercise Participation Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Chronic Conditions: A Qualitative Study Using the COM-B Model and Theoretical Domains Framework.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Exploring sedentary behaviour reduction interventions in the primary healthcare setting: a scoping review.BMC primary care · 2026Article
- Using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the implementation of a clinical workflow designed to identify, refer, and connect insufficiently active patients to health coaching.Translational behavioral medicine · 2026Article
- Understanding the factors influencing participant engagement and adherence in exercise referral in the City of Manchester.BMJ open sport & exercise medicine · 2026Article
- Article
- Maintaining physical activity in people with long-term conditions following engagement in physical activity referral schemes: barriers, enablers, and intervention strategies.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
15 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPhysical activity referral schemes (PARS) are composed of various components, such as a written prescription or a person-centered approach. The role of these components in their effectiveness is yet to be understood. Therefore, we aimed to explore the relationships between PARS components and physical activity, scheme uptake, and adherence rate; and to estimate the effect of PARS.
methodsWe searched Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, HTA, Wiley Online Library, SAGE Journals, Taylor & Francis, Google Scholar, OpenGrey, and CORE. Eligible studies were published between 1990 and November 2023 in English or German, investigated PARS with participants aged ≥ 16 years, and reported physical activity, scheme uptake, or scheme adherence. Separate random-effects meta-analysis by comparison group were conducted for physical activity. Scheme uptake and adherence rates were pooled using proportional meta-analysis. The components were analyzed via univariate meta-regression. We rated the risk of bias using RoB2 and ROBINS-I, and the certainty of evidence using GRADE.
resultsFifty-two studies were included. PARS were more effective in increasing physical activity than usual care (k = 11, n = 5046, Hedges' g = 0.18, 95%CI 0.12 to 0.25; high certainty of evidence). When PARS were compared with physical activity advice or enhanced scheme versions, the pooled Hedges' g values for physical activity were -0.06 (k = 5, n = 1082, 95%CI -0.21 to 0.10; low certainty of evidence), and 0.07 (k = 9, n = 2647, 95%CI -0.03 to 0.18; low certainty of evidence) respectively. Scheme uptake was 87% (95%CI 77% to 94%, k = 14, n = 5000) across experimental studies and 68% (95%CI 51% to 83%, k = 14, n = 25,048) across non-experimental studies. Pooled scheme adherence was 68% (95%CI 55% to 80%, k = 16, n = 3939) and 53% (95%CI 42% to 63%, k = 18, n = 14,605). The meta-regression did not detect any significant relationships between components and physical activity or scheme uptake. A person-centered approach, screening, and brief advice were positively associated with scheme adherence, while physical activity sessions were negatively associated.
conclusionPARS are more effective in increasing physical activity than usual care only. We did not identify any components as significant predictors of physical activity and scheme uptake. Four components predicted scheme adherence, indicating that the component-effectiveness relationship warrants further research.
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