Can a doctor's referral to an exercise coach get people moving?
NCT ID NCT04947787
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a program where doctors refer inactive people with chronic diseases (like diabetes, heart disease, or obesity) to an exercise professional for personalized counseling. The goal was to see if this referral scheme helps people become more active compared to just getting brief advice from their doctor. The study involved 168 participants in Germany and tracked their physical activity and health over 24 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
physical activity referral scheme (PARS)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could provide a model for doctors to refer patients with chronic diseases to exercise professionals, potentially improving health and activity levels.
What could go wrong
This is a completed, small study (168 participants) in one German region, so results may not apply broadly. The intervention is behavioral, so individual adherence and long-term effects are uncertain.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg
Erlangen, 91058, Germany