Older adults’ evaluations of the standard and modified pedometer-based Green Prescription
Asmita Patel 1 2 7 , Grant M. Schofield 3 , Gregory S. Kolt 4 , Justin W. L. Keogh 5 3 61 School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
2 South Pacific College of Natural Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand
3 Human Potential Centre, Faculty Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
4 School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
5 Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
6 Cluster for Health Improvement, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
7 Corresponding author. Email: asmita.patel@aut.ac.nz
Journal of Primary Health Care 12(1) 41-48 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC19007
Published: 24 March 2020
Journal Compilation © Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2020 This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The Green Prescription is a primary care programme designed to increase physical activity in individuals with low activity levels. Older adults tend to engage in insufficient physical activity to obtain health-related gain.
AIM: To examine participants’ ratings of the Healthy Steps intervention and to assess how participants rated the use of a pedometer-based Green Prescription in aiding their physical activity.
METHODS: In total, 330 community-dwelling older adults who have low levels of activity were randomised to receive either a standard time-based Green Prescription or a modified pedometer-based Green Prescription. Post-intervention, 259 participants completed the participant evaluation questionnaire via postal survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-squared analyses.
RESULTS: The standard components of the Green Prescription (general practitioner consultations and telephone counselling) received similar and higher ratings across both allocation groups than the use of print materials. A pedometer-based Green Prescription was rated as being helpful in aiding physical activity.
DISCUSSION: This study supports the importance of general practitioners’ initial role in prescribing physical activity for older adults and of ongoing telephone support for longer-term adherence. Incorporating a pedometer can be effective in helping low-active older adults initiate and maintain regular physical activity.
KEYwords: Green Prescription; older adults; physical activity pedometers; participant ratings
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