Testing and evaluation of WWE-UK programme
aching or stiffness, arthritis, gout, pain, MSK, overweight or obese, RA
FIBROMYALGIA, RECRUITMENT, ARTHRITIS, SECONDARY, GOUT
This study had ethical approval from the South-East Scotland Research Ethics Committee 02 (Reference: REC: 17/SS/0069).The primary recruitment approach was facilitated through the Scottish Primary Care Research Network (SPCRN). A patient medical records review identified potentially eligible participants from nine primary care practice from around a large city in Scotland using relevant arthritis and MSK conditions clinical codes (e.g., knee/hip OA, RA, gout, fibromyalgia). Lists were reviewed by a General Practitioner (GP) or medical practice manager, which allowed for identification and removal of patients from the list who would not be able to exercise due to unstable cardiovascular status, cognitive issues, or complex medical conditions. Remaining individuals were invited by letter. A secondary recruitment strategy used targeted advertising through relevant community organizations (e.g., University of Aberdeen, local community centers and libraries, NHS Grampian Public Involvement, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, and national/local charities) to encourage interested members of the public to self-refer to the study.All eligible participants were required to meet all the inclusion criteria:Aged 18 years or older;Have arthritis or a MSK condition (e.g., OA, RA, back pain, gout or fibromyalgia), either by a confirmed diagnosis in medical notes or self-reported by participant diagnosis by a clinician;Have self-reported symptoms of pain, aching or stiffness in and/or around a joint (including the lower back) in the previous 30 days;Self-reported height and weight indicating being overweight or obese (body mass index ≥25 kg/mSelf-reported current physical inactivity (i.e., less than 150 min total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week on average).All eligible participants were invited to a baseline study visit, where they were asked to provide consent to participate in the study. They underwent physical performance measures (PPM) and completed a questionnaire.At the end of the baseline visit, participants were randomized by use of opaque sealed envelopes to the WWE-UK walking programme or usual care group in a 2:1 ratio respectively. Those allocated to the WWE-UK walking programme were offered the choice of walking either in: (a) an instructor-led group or (b) via self-directed walking. They were given a WWE-UK guidebook and a pedometer. Those allocated to the usual care group were provided with a leaflet about opportunities to be active in the local community, for example, locations and types of physical activity programmes offered by six city-based organizations.All participants, regardless of study group, were invited to return for a repeat physical performance tests and follow-up questionnaire after the 6-week WWE programme and to complete a mailed questionnaire 18-weeks post-baseline assessment. A list of specific data collected and instruments used in the questionnaires, along with individual references, is presented in We embedded a qualitative stage to better understand perceptions of the WWE programme from various viewpoints. Data generation included ethnographic observation of group-led activities during the 6-week WWE programme (not reported here) and narrative interviews with participants post-programme. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted at the end of the programme with walk leaders, community partners and referring physicians (Study participants indicating interest to participate in a one-to-one narrative interview at baseline consent were contacted after the 6-week programme. A sample of 60 participants were recruited to achieve maximum variation by gender, age and programme status (i.e., group, self-directed, or usual care). All the interviews conducted were face-to-face using a pre-tested topic guide (