Dataset Information

'Including us, talking to us and creating a safe environment'-Youth patient and public involvement and the Walking In ScHools (WISH) Study: Lessons learned.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Young people have the right to be informed and consulted about decisions affecting their lives. Patient and public involvement (PPI) ensures that research is carried out 'with' or 'by' young people rather than 'to', 'about' or 'for' them. The aim of this paper is to outline how youth PPI can be embedded within a physical activity intervention, reflect on the impact of PPI and provide recommendations for future PPI in a similar context.

Methods

A Youth Advisory Group (YAG) was set up within the Walking In ScHools (WISH) Study to involve adolescent girls in the delivery, implementation and dissemination of a physical activity intervention targeted at adolescents. Schools invited pupils aged 12-14 years and 15-18 years to YAG meetings (n3, from 2019 to 2023). Participative methods were used to inform recruitment strategies and data collection methods for the WISH Study.

Results

Across the three YAG meetings, n51 pupils from n8 schools were involved. Pupils enjoyed the YAG meetings, felt that their feedback was valued and considered the meetings a good way to get young people involved in research. The YAG advised on specific issues and although measuring impact was not the primary aim of the YAG meetings, over the course of the study there were many examples of the impact of PPI. Recruitment targets for the WISH Study were exceeded, the attrition rate was low and pupils were engaged in data collection.

Conclusion

Youth PPI is a developing field and there are few physical activity studies that report the PPI work undertaken. Within the WISH Study, three YAG meetings were held successfully, and the views of adolescent girls were central to the development of the study. Considering the specific issues that the YAG advised on (study recruitment, attrition and data collection), there was evidence of a positive impact of PPI.

Patient or public contribution

Pupils from post-primary schools interested/participating in the WISH Study were invited to attend YAG meetings. YAG meetings were set up to consult adolescent girls on the delivery, implementation and dissemination of the WISH intervention.

SUBMITTER: Gallagher AM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10726144 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

'Including us, talking to us and creating a safe environment'-Youth patient and public involvement and the Walking In ScHools (WISH) Study: Lessons learned.

Gallagher Alison M AM O'Kane Sarah Maria SM Doherty Leanne C LC Faulkner Maria M McDermott Gary G Jago Russell R Lahart Ian M IM Murphy Marie H MH Carlin Angela A

Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy 20231006 1

<h4>Background</h4>Young people have the right to be informed and consulted about decisions affecting their lives. Patient and public involvement (PPI) ensures that research is carried out 'with' or 'by' young people rather than 'to', 'about' or 'for' them. The aim of this paper is to outline how youth PPI can be embedded within a physical activity intervention, reflect on the impact of PPI and provide recommendations for future PPI in a similar context.<h4>Methods</h4>A Youth Advisory Group (YA ...[more]

PMID: 37803967

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Project description:BackgroundPhysical inactivity in adolescents is a major public health issue. Schools are important settings for physical activity interventions. The WISH Study was a peer-led, school-based walking intervention that aimed to increase physical activity levels of adolescent girls. This study uses the RE-AIM Framework to present the process evaluation of the WISH Study with a focus on factors that affected participation, motivation, and enjoyment of the intervention.MethodsPupils (n589 12-14 years) were recruited from 18 schools in the border region of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In intervention schools (n9), older pupils (15-18 years) were trained as walk leaders and led pupils (12-14 years) in brisk walks (10-15 min) during the school day, across the school year (2021-22). Questionnaires to measure self-efficacy for walking and physical activity, health-related quality of life and reasons for engaging in physical activity were administered throughout the intervention. At the end of the intervention focus groups were held with pupils, and interviews conducted with teachers and walk leaders. Attendance at walks was monitored by walk leaders. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative analysis was undertaken using thematic analysis. Themes were reported under RE-AIM indicators (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance).ResultsPupils in the intervention schools (n286) were representative of adolescent girls in Northern Ireland and Ireland, in terms of their activity level. At baseline, 15% of these pupils met the recommended physical activity guidelines of 60 min moderate-vigorous physical activity per day, as measured by accelerometers. The total number of walks reported per school ranged from 2 to 104 across intervention schools. One quarter of pupils (n74, 26%) never attended a walk and 15% (n23) of walk leaders did not lead a walk. Pupils and walk leaders self-reported improvements in their physical health, mental well-being, and social relationships, and walk leaders reported gaining transferrable skills. Implementation was aided by school support in some schools, although barriers such as COVID-19, lack of time, harsh weather, inadequate facilities for indoor walks, and walk leader availability, were identified. Staff engagement was a key driver for the maintenance of walks.ConclusionsDespite a promising feasibility study and a comprehensive walk leader training programme, the extent to which the intervention was adopted and implemented varied, suggesting future school-based physical activity interventions need to consider individual school contexts to ensure intervention fidelity.Trial registrationISRCTN 12847782.

Project description:BackgroundMost adolescent girls fail to meet current physical activity guidelines. Physical activity behaviours track from childhood into adulthood and providing adolescent girls with opportunities to be physically active may have health benefits beyond childhood. The effects of walking interventions on adult cardiometabolic health are known, however less is understood about the potential of walking to promote physical activity in adolescents. Following the Walking In ScHools (WISH) feasibility study, this definitive trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel, low-cost, school-based walking intervention at increasing physical activity levels of adolescent girls (aged 12-14 years).MethodsFemale pupils were recruited from eighteen schools across the border region of Ireland and in Northern Ireland. In intervention schools (n = 9), girls aged 15-18 years, were trained as walk leaders, and led the younger pupils in 10-15 min walks before school, at break and lunch recess. All walks took place in school grounds and pupils were encouraged to participate in as many walks as possible each week. The primary outcome measure was accelerometer determined total physical activity (counts per minutes, cpm).ResultsIn total, 589 pupils were recruited to the study. At baseline, pupils engaged in a median (interquartile range (IQR)) 35.7 (21.2) mins moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day and only 12% (n = 66) of participants met physical activity guidelines (60 min MVPA per day). The intervention was delivered for a mean (standard deviation (SD)) 19.9 ± 0.97 weeks. The mean post-intervention total physical activity for the intervention group was 676 cpm and 710 cpm in the control group. Post-intervention total physical activity did not statistically differ between groups when adjusted for age, body mass index z-scores and baseline physical activity (mean difference, -33.5, 95% CI = -21.2 to 88.1; p = 0.213).Conclusions'Scaling-up' physical activity interventions is challenging and despite a promising feasibility study, the results of this fully powered trial suggest that in this context, the WISH intervention did not increase device measured physical activity. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, school environments have changed and although pupils enjoyed the programme, attendance at walks was low, indicating that there is a need to better understand how to implement interventions within schools.Trial registrationISRCTN; ISRCTN12847782; Registered 2nd July 2019.

Project description:BackgroundSchool-based interventions may be effective at increasing levels of physical activity (PA) among adolescents; however, there is a paucity of evidence on whether walking can be successfully promoted to increase PA in this age group. This pilot study aimed to assess the effects of a 12-week school-based peer-led brisk walking programme on levels of school-time PA post intervention.MethodsFemale participants, aged 11-13 years, were recruited from six post-primary schools in Northern Ireland. Participants were randomized by school (cluster) to participate in regular 10-15-min peer-led brisk walks throughout the school week (the WISH study) (n = 101, two schools) or to continue with their usual PA (n = 98, four schools). The primary outcome measure was school-time PA post intervention (week 12), assessed objectively using an Actigraph accelerometer. Secondary outcome measures included anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness and psychosocial measures. Changes in PA data between baseline (T0) and end of intervention (week 12) (T1) were analysed using a mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance with one between (group) and one within (time) subjects factor, with two levels.ResultsOf 199 participants recruited (mean age = 12.4 ± 0.6 years, 27% overweight/obese), 187 had valid accelerometer data for inclusion in subsequent analysis. A significant interaction effect was observed for changes in light intensity PA across the school day (p = 0.003), with those in the intervention increasing their light intensity PA by 8.27 mins/day compared with a decrease of 2.14 mins/day in the control group. No significant interactions were observed for the other PA measures across the intervention. Intervention effects on school-time PA were not sustained four months post intervention.ConclusionsThe intervention increased daily light intensity PA behaviour in these adolescent girls but did not change moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). These findings suggest that a school-based brisk walking intervention may be feasible and can change PA behaviour in the short term, but it is possible that the self-selected walking speeds determined by a peer-leader may not be sufficient to reach MVPA in this age group. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential of school-based brisk walking to contribute to MVPA in adolescent girls.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02871830 . Registered on 16 August 2016).

Dataset Information

'Including us, talking to us and creating a safe environment'-Youth patient and public involvement and the Walking In ScHools (WISH) Study: Lessons learned.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Patient or public contribution

Publications

'Including us, talking to us and creating a safe environment'-Youth patient and public involvement and the Walking In ScHools (WISH) Study: Lessons learned.

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