NL
How do you motivate older people to become more physically active? This question was the focus of a recent systematic review and network meta-analysis that examined the effectiveness of motivational strategies. The results are promising: interventions that combine multiple strategies, such as motivational interviewing, shared decision-making and monitoring with feedback, appear to be more effective than usual care in the short and long term. Individually tailored (tailor-made) interventions even show the best results, especially in the long term.
Previous studies confirm that motivational strategies, such as the use of activity trackers or behavior change theories, can contribute to higher compliance and increased exercise. Yet challenges remain. The evidence is of very low quality, according to GRADE criteria, due to variation in the content and implementation of interventions and differences in measurement methods. This makes it difficult to draw clear conclusions about the best approach in practice.
For the future, it is important to further personalize interventions so that they better match the wishes, needs and limitations of individual patients. In addition, barriers and success factors in implementation need to be explored to translate to daily practice.
Although more research is needed, these findings offer valuable insights for healthcare professionals who want to help older people become and stay more active. With the right approach, these motivational strategies can contribute to a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Ward Heij, Maria Nijhuis-van der Sanden, Philip van der Wees and Thomas Hoogeboom of IQ Health are first and co-authors, respectively, of this article.