Evidence-Based Lifestyle Prescription Program: Pilot Study

Summary

The HealtheSteps™ (HeS) Program is an evidence-based, community-focused, lifestyle prescription (Rx) program, supported by in-person coaching and innovative health technologies. The program improves the health of Canadians and reduces their risk for chronic disease by tackling three major risk factors that are shared across a number of chronic diseases: physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour and poor diet. Each HeS participant receives an individualized healthy living Rx for exercise, physical activity (step counts) and healthy eating, supported by coaching and technology tools to promote long-term health behaviour change. For this study, the investigators will undertake a 6-month pilot pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT), conducted within 5 clinic settings in Southwestern Ontario. The primary aim is to conduct an outcome evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the HeS program in helping at-risk individuals increase physical activity levels, improve eating habits, and improve other health behaviours and health indicators.

Conditions

• Chronic Disease
• Sedentary Lifestyle
• Overweight

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

HealtheSteps Program

6-month evidence-based lifestyle Rx program: At set time points over the 6-month period, participants have in-person visits with a HeS coach at the clinic setting. At each in-person session, the participant receives an individualized Rx for exercise, physical activity (step count) and healthy eating. The HeS Coach and participant then engage in a coaching/goal setting conversation to set detailed plans and goals to achieve their prescriptions. Participants independently choose which activities they will take part in to achieve their lifestyle Rx's and goals. In between in-person sessions, the participants have access to a suite of free-of-charge health technology support tools to: a) track their exercise, physical activity, and healthy eating; and b) receive virtual coaching and support.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Western University, Canada

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Robert J Petrella, MD, PhD · University of Western Ontario, Lawson Health Research Institute

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2015-05-31

Primary Completion

2015-12-31

Completion

2017-03-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations