The Role of Intermediaries in Connecting Individuals to Local Physical Activity - Study Protocol

Summary

Intermediaries help people to connect to community-based services and supports, including physical activity and exercise groups (physical activities). They do this by acting as a link person. After receiving a referral or self-referral, they conduct an assessment, connect people to services in the community, and follow-up with people over time.

This project will investigate if connecting to physical activities through an intermediary can improve health and wellbeing. It will also investigate people's experiences of working with an intermediary. This project is a pilot feasibility study, which means the investigators are evaluating the measures used and the way the trial is designed to see if they are suitable for a larger study in the future.

Conditions

• Physical Inactivity

Interventions

OTHER

Social Prescribing Link Worker Intermediary Intervention

Social prescribing link workers \[SPLW\] receive referrals from healthcare professionals, community services, or through self-referral. Individuals are referred for social isolation or social needs, frequent healthcare attendance, or to address a pre-existing health issue. SPLW carry out an in-depth assessment of the individual's needs, and then work with the individual over weeks and months to connect them to community services and supports, which can include local physical activities. They use several strategies during this follow-up period, such as instrumental support (doing things for the individual), empowerment and motivation techniques and/or attending activities with the individual. After the SPLW establishes a connection to a local physical activity, the individual enrols and participates in the chosen activity. Local physical activities can include walking groups, local gyms and leisure centres, chair-based exercise, outdoor activities, yoga and tai chi.

OTHER

Local Sports Partnership Community Development Officer Intervention

Local sports partnership community development officers \[LSPO\] mainly receive self-referrals, or can receive referrals, to improve physical activity levels of individuals through participation in physical activity groups delivered by the partnership. LSPO do not carry out an in-depth assessment but may carry out screening before explaining/signposting to local physical activities. They use several strategies to connect the individual to local physical activities, such as attending the first session of the group, providing reassurance and practical support, and keeping the person updated and informed as to upcoming groups. After the LSPO establishes a connection to a local physical activity, the individual enrols and participated in the chosen activity. The LSPO continues to support this engagement during the follow-up period. Local physical activities can include walking groups, local gyms and leisure centres, chair-based exercise, outdoor activities, yoga and tai chi amongst others.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Dublin, Trinity College

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Megan O'Grady · University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin

• Emer Barrett, PhD · University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin

• Deirdre Connolly, PhD · University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-09-01

Primary Completion

2024-06-06

Completion

2024-08-23

Countries

• Ireland

Study Locations