Development of a physical activity behaviour change intervention for people with type 2 diabetes

Physical activity promotion in current diabetes care in the UK is inadequate, restricted by lack of time and resources. Person delivered physical activity consultation is an effective method of physical activity promotion, but wider implementation of this intervention has been limited due to lack of resources. Objectives: To develop a written delivered, self instructional physical activity intervention, based on physical activity consultation, which can easily be delivered within current diabetes care. Methods: The intervention is guided by the principles of the Transtheoretical model (TTM), which proposes individual move through five stages when changing behaviour. Each intervention pack is structured to cover key components of the TTM and include evidence based strategies to support physical activity. Intervention packs for people in a contemplation or preparation stage (i.e. people who are inactive but considering doing more physical activity) cover strategies such as enhancing motivation, overcoming barriers and developing a physical activity plan. Intervention packs for people in an action or maintenance stage (i.e. currently meeting physical activity recommendations) focus on prevention of relapse back to sedentary behaviour and improving long term maintenance of physical activity. Results/Conclusions: The Time 2 ACT study is a randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of this written delivered intervention compared to person delivered physical activity consultation and standard care. Changes from baseline in physical activity, physiological, biochemical and psychological variables will be examined over six and twelve months. Cost effective analysis will determine which physical activity intervention is the best buy for current diabetes care