Physical Activity Program Referral for Chronic Disease

Overseen By Frankie Bennett, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of South Carolina

Disqualifiers: Under 18 years old

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how effectively clinics and their patients can adopt a new physical activity program. It aims to determine if referring patients to a 12-week exercise plan can be easily implemented and effective in a community setting. Patients referred by their primary care provider since September 5, 2023, might be suitable candidates. The trial includes clinics that choose to adopt the program and those that do not, to compare outcomes. As an unphased trial, it offers patients the chance to contribute to innovative community health solutions.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this physical activity program is safe for participants?

Research has shown that physical activity, such as that encouraged by the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) program, is generally safe for most people. Studies have found that exercise helps prevent and treat many long-term illnesses. Most participants have handled it well, with few reports of negative effects. The EIM program promotes regular exercise, which many people can do safely with the right guidance. Always consult a healthcare provider to ensure a new exercise routine suits your health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Physical Activity Program Referral for Chronic Disease trial because it explores the impact of encouraging clinics to adopt a structured exercise program, which differs from the usual care of medication and lifestyle advice. Unlike current options that primarily focus on managing symptoms with drugs or general guidance, this program offers a direct referral to a physical activity regimen, aiming to integrate exercise as a key component of chronic disease management. This approach could lead to better patient engagement and long-term health improvements by making exercise a routine part of care.

What evidence suggests that this trial's physical activity program could be effective for chronic disease?

Research has shown that exercise can be as effective as medication for managing chronic diseases like heart disease and high blood pressure. Many studies support this, demonstrating that physical activity helps prevent and treat these conditions. This trial will evaluate the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) program, which builds on these findings. Clinics will either adopt the EIM program or not, forming separate study arms. The program customizes to meet the specific needs and readiness of participants, ensuring maximum benefit. This approach has successfully encouraged more people to be active and improve their health. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jennifer L Trilk, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of South Carolina

Mark Stoutenberg, PhD

Principal Investigator

Durham University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients who visit Prisma Health primary care clinics in South Carolina, have not been part of EIMG onboarding or activation before, and are within 15 miles of a local community physical activity facility. Clinics with at least two attending providers can participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Consist of at least two attending providers

Be located 15 miles or less from a participating community PA facility

Prisma Health primary care clinics (i.e., family or internal medicine) located in the Upstate of South Carolina

Exclusion Criteria

My clinic is more than 15 miles away from the nearest participating facility.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Initial Implementation

Initial implementation and reach of EIMG at adopting clinics tracked following the dissemination of the pre-recorded training video

4 months

Onboard Training and Implementation

In-depth, standardized clinic onboard training provided, followed by tracking of EIMG implementation and reach

4 months

Community-based Physical Activity Program

Referred patients enroll in a 12-week evidence-informed physical activity program at local community facilities

12 weeks

Assessments at enrollment, midway, and completion

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in health outcomes and healthcare costs post-program

12 months

Phone call assessments at 6 and 12 months post-program

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Invitation to adopt

Trial Overview

The study is looking into how well integrating physical activity programs into healthcare works by inviting eligible patients to join a 12-week exercise program at nearby facilities and tracking the adoption and reach.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Adopter Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Clinics that decide to adopt the EIMG Program

Group II: Non Adopter Active Control 1 Intervention

Clinics that decide not to adopt the EIMG Program

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

233

Recruited

122,000+

Durham University

Collaborator

Trials

11

Recruited

28,200+

University of Nebraska

Collaborator

Trials

563

Recruited

1,147,000+

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Collaborator

Trials

3,987

Recruited

47,860,000+

Temple University

Collaborator

Trials

321

Recruited

89,100+

University of Utah

Collaborator

Trials

1,169

Recruited

1,623,000+

Citations

1.

exerciseismedicine.org

exerciseismedicine.org/eim-results/

EIM Results

EIM has created a quarterly Scorecard that summarizes its impact across the three main stakeholder groups: Healthcare Providers, Exercise Professionals ... and ...

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7444006/

Exercise Is Medicine - PMC - PubMed Central - NIH

Decades of research have shown that exercise is as effective as prescription medication in the management of several chronic diseases. Just as weight and blood ...

3.

exerciseismedicine.org

exerciseismedicine.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EIM-Fact-Sheet.pdf

EIM-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Physical activity is effective in the prevention and treatment of a variety of chronic diseases and health conditions, including heart disease, hypertension,.

4.

exerciseismedicine.org

exerciseismedicine.org/eim-in-action/eim-solution/

EIM Solution

EIM Programs should be customized according to participants' specific chronic disease(s), risk levels, physical and motivational readiness and personal ...

5.

westga.edu

westga.edu/share/documents/pubs/090227_.pdf

An Analysis of an Exercise is Medicine on Campus ® ...

Of the participants, 40% had with a chronic disease and only. 27% reported engaging in regular moderate-to-vigorous PA. The top reasons for participating in EIM.

6.

exerciseismedicine.org

exerciseismedicine.org/

Exercise is Medicine: Home

EIM is committed to the belief that physical activity promotes optimal health and is integral in the prevention and treatment of many medical conditions.

7.

journals.lww.com

journals.lww.com/smj/fulltext/2025/10001/exercise_is_medicine__translating_evidence_into.4.aspx

Exercise is medicine: translating evidence into practice

Ever since the 1961 landmark study by Heady et al. 1 highlighting the increased risk of sudden death from coronary heart disease in London bus drivers ...