Counselling increases physical activity behaviour nine weeks after rehabilitation
- H P van der Ploeg1,
- K R M Streppel2,
- A J van der Beek1,
- L H V van der Woude3,
- M M R Vollenbroek-Hutten2,
- W H van Harten4,
- W van Mechelen1
- 1Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO-Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- 2Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, the Netherlands
- 3Institute Fundamental and Clinical Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Medical Center
- 4Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, University of Twente, Twente, the Netherlands
- Correspondence to: Professor van Mechelen Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO-Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; w.vanmechelen{at}vumc.nl
- Accepted 23 August 2005
Abstract
Background: For people with disabilities, a physically active lifestyle can reduce the risk of secondary health problems and improve overall functioning.
Objectives: To determine the effects of the sport stimulation programme “rehabilitation and sports” (R&S) and R&S combined with the daily physical activity promotion programme “active after rehabilitation” (AaR) on sport participation and daily physical activity behaviour nine weeks after inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation.
Methods: Subjects in four intervention rehabilitation centres were randomised to a group receiving R&S only (n = 315) or a group receiving R&S and AaR (n = 284). Subjects in six control rehabilitation centres (n = 603) received the usual care. Most common diagnoses were stroke, neurological disorders, and back disorders. Two sport and two daily physical activity outcomes were assessed with questionnaires seven weeks before and nine weeks after the end of rehabilitation. Data were analysed by intention to treat and on treatment multilevel analyses, comparing both intervention groups with the control group.
Results: The R&S group showed no significant change. Intention to treat analyses of the R&S+AaR group showed significant improvements in one sport (p = 0.02) and one physical activity outcome (p = 0.03). On treatment analyses in the R&S+AaR group showed significant improvements in both sport outcomes (p<0.01 and p = 0.02) and one physical activity outcome (p<0.01).
Conclusions: Only the combination of R&S and AaR had increased sports participation and daily physical activity behaviour nine weeks after the end of inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: none declared
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Ethics approval: In January 2001, the Medical ethics committee of the Rehabilitation Center Het Roessingh in Enschede (the Netherlands) approved the study. All participants gave written informed consent.
