Promoting the implementation of a computer-tailored physical activity intervention: development and feasibility...

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Effective physical activity (PA) interventions for older adults often face real-world implementation barriers.
• This study focused on the systematic development and feasibility evaluation of a multifaceted implementation intervention for a computer-tailored PA program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically develop and evaluate the feasibility of a multifaceted implementation intervention targeting healthcare policy advisors.
• To assess the utilization and effectiveness of selected implementation strategies in a real-world healthcare setting.

Main Methods:

• The Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol guided the development, supplemented by implementation science literature.
• A pretest-posttest design within 8 municipal healthcare settings assessed feasibility among stakeholders.
• Quantitative questionnaires and semi-structured interviews evaluated strategy utilization, performance objectives, and stakeholder considerations.

Main Results:

• A multifaceted intervention was developed, with most strategies utilized as intended.
• Adoption and implementation objectives were largely met (75-100%), but maintenance objectives were less successful (13-63%).
• No favorable changes in implementation determinants were observed, and stakeholders did not continue the PA intervention due to labor and reach issues.

Conclusions:

• A thorough feasibility study is crucial, even when using protocols like IM.
• Stakeholder acceptance of the implementation intervention did not translate to sustained adoption or improved determinants.
• Lessons learned offer recommendations for developing future implementation interventions.