Information for Health Professionals
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
(NICE)
State 4 commonly used methods to increase
physical activity:
- brief interventions in primary care.
- exercise referral schemes.
- pedometers.
- community based exercise for walking/cycling
(NICE 2006) state currently there is,
“insufficient evidence to recommend the use
of exercise referral schemes to promote physical activity other
than as part of a research trial where their effectiveness can be
evaluated”.
They also recommend that,
“Practitioners, policy makers and
commissioners should only endorse exercise referral schemes to
promote physical activity that are part of a properly designed and
controlled research study to determine effectiveness.”
Controlled trial
The Welsh Assembly Government has
commissioned a randomised controlled trial of these schemes as it
rolls out across the implementation areas.
What changes will we see?
A few changes in the referral process and the
protocols used, as we are seeking to implement one protocol across
Wales. This includes a change in the referral forms and in the
length or time of the scheme. To enter the scheme patients will be
asked to consent to either being randomly selected to receive the
exercise programme or to receive an information booklet and enter
the scheme in a year’s time.
Why are these changes necessary?
The current evidence base for the
effectiveness of exercise referral is poor and the Welsh Assembly
Government is keen to ensure that public money is spent on
interventions that are effective. The trial is needed to gather
evidence to whether this is the case.
Contact
The Exercise Referral team by telephoning 01446 725959 or email
ExerciseReferral@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk