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Physical Activity as a Vital Sign: A Systematic Review.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Golightly, YM; Allen, KD; Ambrose, KR; Stiller, JL; Evenson, KR; Voisin, C; Hootman, JM; Callahan, LF
Published in: Prev Chronic Dis
November 30, 2017

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) is strongly endorsed for managing chronic conditions, and a vital sign tool (indicator of general physical condition) could alert providers of inadequate PA to prompt counseling or referral. This systematic review examined the use, definitions, psychometric properties, and outcomes of brief PA instruments as vital sign measures, with attention primarily to studies focused on arthritis. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for English-language literature from 1985 through 2016 using the terms PA, exercise, vital sign, exercise referral scheme, and exercise counseling. Of the 838 articles identified for title and abstract review, 9 articles qualified for full text review and data extraction. RESULTS: Five brief PA measures were identified: Exercise Vital Sign (EVS), Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS), Speedy Nutrition and Physical Activity Assessment (SNAP), General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ), and Stanford Brief Activity Survey (SBAS). Studies focusing on arthritis were not found. Over 1.5 years of using EVS in a large hospital system, improvements occurred in relative weight loss among overweight patients and reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin among diabetic patients. On PAVS, moderate physical activity of 5 or more days per week versus fewer than 5 days per week was associated with a lower body mass index (-2.90 kg/m2). Compared with accelerometer-defined physical activity, EVS was weakly correlated (r = 0.27), had low sensitivity (27%-59%), and high specificity (74%-89%); SNAP showed weak agreement (κ = 0.12); GPPAQ had moderate sensitivity (46%) and specificity (50%), and SBAS was weakly correlated (r = 0.10-0.28), had poor to moderate sensitivity (18%-67%), and had moderate specificity (58%-79%). CONCLUSION: Few studies have examined a brief physical activity tool as a vital sign measure. Initial investigations suggest the promise of these simple and quick assessment tools, and research is needed to test the effects of their use on chronic disease outcomes.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Prev Chronic Dis

DOI

EISSN

1545-1151

Publication Date

November 30, 2017

Volume

14

Start / End Page

E123

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vital Signs
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Exercise
  • 4206 Public health
  • 4203 Health services and systems
  • 4202 Epidemiology
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
 

Citation

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Golightly, Y. M., Allen, K. D., Ambrose, K. R., Stiller, J. L., Evenson, K. R., Voisin, C., … Callahan, L. F. (2017). Physical Activity as a Vital Sign: A Systematic Review. Prev Chronic Dis, 14, E123. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd14.170030
Golightly, Yvonne M., Kelli D. Allen, Kirsten R. Ambrose, Jamie L. Stiller, Kelly R. Evenson, Christiane Voisin, Jennifer M. Hootman, and Leigh F. Callahan. “Physical Activity as a Vital Sign: A Systematic Review.Prev Chronic Dis 14 (November 30, 2017): E123. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd14.170030.
Golightly YM, Allen KD, Ambrose KR, Stiller JL, Evenson KR, Voisin C, et al. Physical Activity as a Vital Sign: A Systematic Review. Prev Chronic Dis. 2017 Nov 30;14:E123.
Golightly, Yvonne M., et al. “Physical Activity as a Vital Sign: A Systematic Review.Prev Chronic Dis, vol. 14, Nov. 2017, p. E123. Pubmed, doi:10.5888/pcd14.170030.
Golightly YM, Allen KD, Ambrose KR, Stiller JL, Evenson KR, Voisin C, Hootman JM, Callahan LF. Physical Activity as a Vital Sign: A Systematic Review. Prev Chronic Dis. 2017 Nov 30;14:E123.

Published In

Prev Chronic Dis

DOI

EISSN

1545-1151

Publication Date

November 30, 2017

Volume

14

Start / End Page

E123

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vital Signs
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Exercise
  • 4206 Public health
  • 4203 Health services and systems
  • 4202 Epidemiology
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services