Effects of a Pedometer-Based Telephone Coaching Intervention on Physical Activity Among People with Cardiac Disease in Urban, Rural and Semi-Rural Settings: A Replication Study

Background:
This study aimed to determine the replicability of a pedometer-based telephone coaching intervention by comparing the outcomes of a study conducted in rural and urban settings to a study that previously found the same intervention effective in a semi-rural setting.

Methods:
Replication studies are conducted to assess whether an efficacious intervention is effective in multiple different settings. This study compared the outcomes of a pedometer-based coaching intervention implemented in urban and rural settings (replication study) with the same intervention implemented in a semi-rural setting (reference study) on physical activity levels.

Results:
Improvements in total weekly physical activity time in the replication study were significant from baseline to six weeks (p<0.001 urban, p=0.006 rural) and remained significant at six months (p=0.029 urban, p=0.005 rural). These increases were comparable to those achieved in the original efficacy trial conducted in a semi-rural setting.

Conclusions:
The pedometer-based telephone coaching intervention increases physical activity levels of people with cardiac disease referred to a CR program in diverse settings. This replication study indicates the suitability of this minimal contact, low-cost intervention for further scaling-up to address unmet need in community-dwelling cardiac patients.