Expert System-Based Feedback in Sedentary Overweight Veterans

A.1 The primary aim of the study is to determine the effect of a physical activity
intervention designed to increase physical activity for sedentary Veterans at the VA
Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

A.2. Secondary aims are to assess key health-related outcomes related to the intervention
including health and quality of life. The specific outcomes are to (a) estimate the impact
of the intervention on physical function, health-related quality of life (HRQL), weight,
blood pressure and serum lipids; (b) characterize variation in intervention effectiveness by
participant sociodemographic and health characteristics, such as age, race, and baseline
health status; and (c) estimate cost-per-Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) at 12 months.

Three hundred Veterans will be randomized to intervention or control groups. Participants
must have a self-reported sedentary lifestyle and a body mass index (BMI) >= 25.0 kg/m2.
Those randomized to the intervention will receive a 12-month intervention that involves
completion of physical activity questionnaires printed on forms that will be scanned into a
computerized expert system program to generate individually-tailored feedback messages.
Those randomized to the control will receive limited advice at baseline from a health
educator to become more physically active, followed by routine primary care for 12 months
with an attention control focused on healthy lifestyle issues other than physical activity.
Assessment of effectiveness will occur at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Cost analyses will be
performed from a payer perspective.