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With much interest we read the recent study of Khunti et al. ‘Promoting physical activity with self-management support for those with multimorbidity’.1 In this randomized trial the researchers investigated whether a self-management group education programme increased physical activity in people with multimorbidity compared to usual care. We believe this study addresses a relevant problem: People become older and older age is correlated with less physical activity, which may be related to multimorbidity.2
Sedentary behavior has become increasingly common.3 Whereas active lifestyle may prevent multimorbidity and or its consequences.4 Contrary to expectations, the study showed that people participating in the self-management support programme showed lower levels of physical activity after 1-year follow-up than those receiving usual care. The study outcomes appear disappointing, but may be a result of limitations due to the study design.
Firstly, at baseline study participants already met the government-recommended target of 150 min/week of moderate-vigorous physical activity. Clearly, participants in the study were much more physically active than people with multimorbidity in the general population due to self-selection.5 Moreover, it seems most relevant to improve physical activity of multimorbid people with low physical activity, which was unfortunately not included in the study popula...
Competing Interests: None declared.