Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation: A Mixed-Method RCT

Michaela L James; Danielle Christian; Samantha C Scott; Charlotte E Todd; Gareth Stratton; Joanne Demmler; Sarah McCoubrey; Julian P J Halcox; Suzanne Audrey; Elizabeth A Ellins; Sinead T Brophy

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2019.10.005

Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation: A Mixed-Method RCT

Michaela L James, Danielle Christian, Samantha C Scott, Charlotte E Todd, Gareth Stratton, Joanne Demmler, Sarah McCoubrey, Julian P J Halcox, Suzanne Audrey, Elizabeth A Ellins, Sinead T Brophy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

104 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity declines in adolescence, especially among those in deprived areas. Research suggests this may result from accessibility barriers (e.g., cost and locality). The Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation RCT aimed to improve the fitness and heart health of teenagers in Wales with the help of teenagers who co-produced the study.

STUDY DESIGN: This study was a mixed-method RCT.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Before data collection, which took place at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months for both arms, 7 schools were randomized by an external statistician (4 intervention schools, n=524; 3 control schools, n=385).

INTERVENTION: The Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation intervention included provision of activity vouchers (£20 per month), a peer mentoring scheme, and support worker engagement for 12 months between January and December 2017. Data analysis occurred February-April 2018.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data included measures of cardiovascular fitness, cardiovascular health (blood pressure and pulse wave analysis), motivation, and focus groups.

RESULTS: The intervention showed a trend to improve the distance ran (primary outcome) and was significant in improving the likelihood of intervention teenagers being fit (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.07, 1.38, p=0.002). There was a reduction in teenagers classified as having high blood pressure (secondary outcome) in the intervention group (baseline, 5.3% [28/524]; 12 months, 2.7% [14/524]). Data on where teenagers used vouchers and evidence from focus groups showed that teenagers wanted to access more unstructured, informal, and social activities in their local areas.

CONCLUSIONS: Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation identified methods that may have a positive impact on cardiovascular fitness, cardiovascular health, and perspectives of activity. Consulting with teenagers, empowering them, and providing more local opportunities for them to take part in activities that are fun, unstructured, and social could positively impact teenage physical activity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, ISRCTN75594310.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	232-243
Number of pages	12
Journal	American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume	58
Issue number	2
Early online date	16 Dec 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2019.10.005
Publication status	Published - 1 Feb 2020

Bibliographical note

The acceptance date for this record is provisional and based upon the month of publication for the article.

Access to Document

10.1016/j.amepre.2019.10.005

Full-text PDF (final published version)
This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via Elsevier at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749379719304477?via%3Dihub. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
Final published version, 608 KBLicence: CC BY

Handle.net

Persistent link

Cite this

@article{71b680a9492e40ac8144d8828c480d4e,

title = "Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation: A Mixed-Method RCT",

abstract = "INTRODUCTION: Physical activity declines in adolescence, especially among those in deprived areas. Research suggests this may result from accessibility barriers (e.g., cost and locality). The Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation RCT aimed to improve the fitness and heart health of teenagers in Wales with the help of teenagers who co-produced the study.STUDY DESIGN: This study was a mixed-method RCT.SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Before data collection, which took place at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months for both arms, 7 schools were randomized by an external statistician (4 intervention schools, n=524; 3 control schools, n=385).INTERVENTION: The Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation intervention included provision of activity vouchers (£20 per month), a peer mentoring scheme, and support worker engagement for 12 months between January and December 2017. Data analysis occurred February-April 2018.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data included measures of cardiovascular fitness, cardiovascular health (blood pressure and pulse wave analysis), motivation, and focus groups.RESULTS: The intervention showed a trend to improve the distance ran (primary outcome) and was significant in improving the likelihood of intervention teenagers being fit (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.07, 1.38, p=0.002). There was a reduction in teenagers classified as having high blood pressure (secondary outcome) in the intervention group (baseline, 5.3% [28/524]; 12 months, 2.7% [14/524]). Data on where teenagers used vouchers and evidence from focus groups showed that teenagers wanted to access more unstructured, informal, and social activities in their local areas.CONCLUSIONS: Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation identified methods that may have a positive impact on cardiovascular fitness, cardiovascular health, and perspectives of activity. Consulting with teenagers, empowering them, and providing more local opportunities for them to take part in activities that are fun, unstructured, and social could positively impact teenage physical activity.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, ISRCTN75594310.",

author = "James, {Michaela L} and Danielle Christian and Scott, {Samantha C} and Todd, {Charlotte E} and Gareth Stratton and Joanne Demmler and Sarah McCoubrey and Halcox, {Julian P J} and Suzanne Audrey and Ellins, {Elizabeth A} and Brophy, {Sinead T}",

note = "The acceptance date for this record is provisional and based upon the month of publication for the article.",

year = "2020",

month = feb,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.amepre.2019.10.005",

language = "English",

volume = "58",

pages = "232--243",

journal = "American Journal of Preventive Medicine",

issn = "0749-3797",

publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",

number = "2",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation

T2 - A Mixed-Method RCT

AU - James, Michaela L

AU - Christian, Danielle

AU - Scott, Samantha C

AU - Todd, Charlotte E

AU - Stratton, Gareth

AU - Demmler, Joanne

AU - McCoubrey, Sarah

AU - Halcox, Julian P J

AU - Audrey, Suzanne

AU - Ellins, Elizabeth A

AU - Brophy, Sinead T

N1 - The acceptance date for this record is provisional and based upon the month of publication for the article.

PY - 2020/2/1

Y1 - 2020/2/1

N2 - INTRODUCTION: Physical activity declines in adolescence, especially among those in deprived areas. Research suggests this may result from accessibility barriers (e.g., cost and locality). The Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation RCT aimed to improve the fitness and heart health of teenagers in Wales with the help of teenagers who co-produced the study.STUDY DESIGN: This study was a mixed-method RCT.SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Before data collection, which took place at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months for both arms, 7 schools were randomized by an external statistician (4 intervention schools, n=524; 3 control schools, n=385).INTERVENTION: The Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation intervention included provision of activity vouchers (£20 per month), a peer mentoring scheme, and support worker engagement for 12 months between January and December 2017. Data analysis occurred February-April 2018.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data included measures of cardiovascular fitness, cardiovascular health (blood pressure and pulse wave analysis), motivation, and focus groups.RESULTS: The intervention showed a trend to improve the distance ran (primary outcome) and was significant in improving the likelihood of intervention teenagers being fit (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.07, 1.38, p=0.002). There was a reduction in teenagers classified as having high blood pressure (secondary outcome) in the intervention group (baseline, 5.3% [28/524]; 12 months, 2.7% [14/524]). Data on where teenagers used vouchers and evidence from focus groups showed that teenagers wanted to access more unstructured, informal, and social activities in their local areas.CONCLUSIONS: Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation identified methods that may have a positive impact on cardiovascular fitness, cardiovascular health, and perspectives of activity. Consulting with teenagers, empowering them, and providing more local opportunities for them to take part in activities that are fun, unstructured, and social could positively impact teenage physical activity.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, ISRCTN75594310.

AB - INTRODUCTION: Physical activity declines in adolescence, especially among those in deprived areas. Research suggests this may result from accessibility barriers (e.g., cost and locality). The Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation RCT aimed to improve the fitness and heart health of teenagers in Wales with the help of teenagers who co-produced the study.STUDY DESIGN: This study was a mixed-method RCT.SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Before data collection, which took place at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months for both arms, 7 schools were randomized by an external statistician (4 intervention schools, n=524; 3 control schools, n=385).INTERVENTION: The Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation intervention included provision of activity vouchers (£20 per month), a peer mentoring scheme, and support worker engagement for 12 months between January and December 2017. Data analysis occurred February-April 2018.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data included measures of cardiovascular fitness, cardiovascular health (blood pressure and pulse wave analysis), motivation, and focus groups.RESULTS: The intervention showed a trend to improve the distance ran (primary outcome) and was significant in improving the likelihood of intervention teenagers being fit (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.07, 1.38, p=0.002). There was a reduction in teenagers classified as having high blood pressure (secondary outcome) in the intervention group (baseline, 5.3% [28/524]; 12 months, 2.7% [14/524]). Data on where teenagers used vouchers and evidence from focus groups showed that teenagers wanted to access more unstructured, informal, and social activities in their local areas.CONCLUSIONS: Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation identified methods that may have a positive impact on cardiovascular fitness, cardiovascular health, and perspectives of activity. Consulting with teenagers, empowering them, and providing more local opportunities for them to take part in activities that are fun, unstructured, and social could positively impact teenage physical activity.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, ISRCTN75594310.

U2 - 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.10.005

DO - 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.10.005

M3 - Article (Academic Journal)

C2 - 31859172

SN - 0749-3797

VL - 58

SP - 232

EP - 243

JO - American Journal of Preventive Medicine

JF - American Journal of Preventive Medicine

IS - 2

ER -

Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation: A Mixed-Method RCT

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Access to Document

Handle.net

Fingerprint

Cite this