Protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of a Peer-Led physical Activity iNtervention for Adolescent girls (PLAN-A)

Kate Willis, Byron Tibbitts, Simon Sebire, Tom Reid, Stephanie MacNeill, Emily Sanderson, William Hollingworth, Rebecca Kandiyali, Rona Campbell, Ruth Kipping, Russ Jago

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)
259 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
Adolescent girls are less physically active than recommended for health, and levels decline further as they approach adulthood. Peers can influence adolescent girls’ physical activity. Interventions capitalising on peer support could positively impact physical activity behaviour in this group. Building on promising feasibility work, the purpose of this cluster randomised controlled trial is to assess whether the Peer-Led physical Activity iNtervention for Adolescent girls (PLAN-A) increases adolescent girls’ physical activity and is cost effective.

Methods
PLAN-A is a two-arm secondary school-based cluster randomised controlled trial, conducted with girls aged 13-14 years from twenty schools in the south west of England. The intervention requires participants to nominate influential girls within their year group to become peer supporters. The top 15% of girls nominated in each school receive three days of training designed to prepare them to support their peers to be more physically active during a ten-week intervention period. Data will be collected at two time points, at baseline (T0) and 5-6 months post-intervention (T1). Schools will be randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 10) or control (n = 10) arm after T0. At each time point, all consenting participants will wear an accelerometer for seven days to assess the primary outcome of mean weekday minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Multivariable mixed effects linear regression will be used to estimate differences in the primary outcome between the two arms and will be examined on an Intention-to-Treat (ITT) basis. A self-report psychosocial questionnaire will be completed by participants to assess self-esteem and physical activity motivation. Resource use and quality of life will be measured for the purposes of an economic evaluation. A mixed-methods process evaluation will be conducted to explore intervention fidelity, acceptability and sustainability. Analysis of quantitative process evaluation data will be descriptive, and the framework method will be used to analyse qualitative data.

Discussion
This paper describes the protocol for the PLAN-A cluster randomised controlled trial, a novel approach to increasing adolescent girls’ physical activity levels through peer support.
Original languageEnglish
Article number644
Number of pages11
JournalBMC Public Health
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 May 2019

Research Groups and Themes

  • DECIPHer
  • SPS Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences
  • BRTC
  • BTC (Bristol Trials Centre)

Keywords

  • Physical activity
  • Peers
  • Adolescent girls
  • Intervention
  • School

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