The effect of participating in MedEx Wellness, a community-based chronic disease exercise rehabilitation programme, on physical, clinical and psychological health: A study protocol for a cohort trial

Bróna Kehoe, Fiona Skelly, Niall Moyna, Mairéad Cantwell, Lorraine Boran, Leslie Daly, Andrew McCarren, Kieran Dowd, Catherine Woods, Noel McCaffrey, Lisa Loughney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Community-based exercise rehabilitation programmes for chronic disease are an effective alternative to traditional hospital-based programmes. MedEx Wellness is a novel community-based exercise rehabilitation programme that integrates a range of chronic diseases. The aim of this trial was to investigate the effect of participating in MedEx Wellness on physical, clinical and psychological health. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted. Participants were recruited at induction to the MedEx Wellness programme following referral from healthcare professionals. Participants underwent a baseline assessment before commencing the exercise programme and repeat assessments at 3, 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was cardiorespiratory fitness (6 minute- time trial) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life (EuroQoL-5D, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire8, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Questionnaire), free living activity behavior (accelerometer) and healthcare utilization (recall questionnaire). Tertiary outcomes included blood pressure (24 h), biomarkers (lipids, glucose and C-reactive protein), other components of physical fitness, including strength (handgrip test, sit-to-stand test), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), body composition (body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio), and falls risk (timed up and go test), and claudication time (incremental treadmill walking test), cognitive function, including attention (Attention Network Task), memory (Luck & Vogel Visual Working Memory Task) and cognitive reserve. Exploratory outcomes included psychosocial determinants of physical activity (self-efficacy, social support, intentions). Discussion: This trial will evaluate whether participation in the MedEx Wellness programme has positive effects on physical, clinical and psychological health in individuals with a range of chronic diseases. Trial registration: ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN10351412.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100591
Pages (from-to)-
JournalContemporary Clinical Trials Communications
Volume19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sep 2020

Keywords

  • Cardiorespiratory fitness
  • Chronic disease
  • Community-based
  • Exercise rehabilitation

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