Physical activity prescription from primary care: impact on self steem and quality of life

Abstract

Abstract Objective To evaluate the benefit in terms of self-esteem, quality of life (QoL) and health perception, in a physical activity (FA) prescription intervention from Primary Care, after three months. Methods Quasi-experimental study before (T0) -after (T1) without a control group, for the evaluation of the pilot phase of the CAS program, implemented (December 2017-May 2018) in 5 primary health centers in Valencia. The questionnaire (T0) was completed with social information, self-esteem (Rosemberg), and QoL (Euroqol-5D, including health perception (HP)). The FA was prescribed with specific hours and days and the participation was monitorized. Three months after starting the FA, the participants completed the same cuestionaire (T1). An descriptive analysis was made, by intention to treat, T0 n = 82 and T1 n = 78, and the scales were compared before and after, using the Wilcoxon Test for related samples. Results The FA prescription was offered to 185 people, acceptance n = 82 (44.3%) and there were 14 dropouts, adherence (83%). The sample at T0 n = 82, people who completed the 3 months, n = 68, and n = 10 people who droppout but answered the questionnaire, (4 not be located them), total analysis T1 n = 78. There were a significant improvement in the QoL (26,5% p ≤ 0.002), the HP (16% p ≤ 0.000) and self-esteem (4,7%p ≤ 0.000) in women when comparing the median of the referred score before and after the intervention. Qol improved more in the low educational level (26.55% p < 0.001), while the perception of health (16% p < 0.000), and self-esteem (9.3% p < 0.038) improved more in the high educational level. Discussion The prescription of FA has an important benefit in improving health with only 3 months of prescription. It also has a greater positive benefit in women and in the population of low educational level, who are those who perform less FA. This study helps build evidence of the positive impact on the health of the social prescription from primary care. Key messages After 3 months of the physical activity prescription the QoL and self-steem improved mainly in women and low educated people. The acceptance to participate was 50% but the adherence was more than 80%.