Spence, J. C. , Wild, C., Courneya, K. S., Cave, A., & Blasetti, C. (2002-2004). A randomised trial of physical activity advice provided by general practitioners using negative and positive health messages.

This randomised controlled trial will examine the impact of (1) verbal versus written prescriptions to engage in physical activity and (2) prescriptions emphasizing health benefits versus health risks on patients seeing physicians. Results will be targeted to practitioners and policy-makers. The proposed study integrates research in health services and population health. Three general hypotheses will be evaluated: (1) patients receiving Green Prescriptions (i.e., written physical activity advice) will develop greater intentions to be physically active and engage in higher rates of physical activity, compared to patients receiving verbal advice only or no advice, (2) patients exposed to gain-framed advice (i.e., health benefits) will develop greater intentions to be physically active and engage in higher rates of physical activity, compared to patients exposed to loss-framed advice (i.e., health risks) or no advice, and (3) patients receiving Green Prescriptions (i.e., written advice) within a gain-framed appeal will develop greater intentions to be physically active and engage in higher rates of physical activity, compared to any other group of patients in the study.

Funded by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR)