Table 2.
PARS characteristics
| Characteristic | N |
|---|---|
| Length of scheme | |
| Open ended | 12 |
| 8 weeks | 1 |
| 10 weeks | 4 |
| 12 weeks (3 months) | 15 |
| 16 weeks (4 months) | 6 |
| 18 weeks (5 months) | 1 |
| 24 weeks (6 months) | 7 |
| 36 weeks (9 months) | 1 |
| 40 weeks (10 months) | 2 |
| 12 months | 6 |
| 15 months | 1 |
| 24 months | 1 |
| Length of sessions | |
| 30–45 min | 1 |
| 45–60 min | 11 |
| Based on 150 min message | 3 |
| Not reported | 40 |
| No. of sessions per week | |
| 1 × per week | 4 |
| 2 × per week | 10 |
| 3 × per week | 6 |
| PA Setting1 | |
| Independent/Home-based | 25 |
| Local leisure facility, gym, sport clubs | 34 |
| Outdoor activity (walking, jogging, cycling) | 2 |
| Primary care | 7 |
| Unclear | 1 |
| Inclusion criteria | |
| Ability to pay | 2 |
| Motivation | 2 |
| Eligible conditions1 | |
| Cardiovascular disease | 10 |
| Cardiovascular risk factors | 14 |
| Coronary heart disease risk factors | 6 |
| Obesity, overweight | 8 |
| Metabolic syndrome | 3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 8 |
| Falls prevention | 2 |
| Mental health conditions | 10 |
| Multiple sclerosis | 2 |
| Musculoskeletal | 10 |
| Neurological conditions | 3 |
| Respiratory | 9 |
| Cancer survivor | 2 |
| Unclear | 1 |
| Cost to participants | 21 |
| Subsidized access to leisure centers | 9 |
| Referral to PARS | |
| Referral form emailed to PARS coordinator | 1 |
| Referral form faxed to PARS coordinator | 2 |
| Referral form posted to PARS coordinator | 1 |
| Referral form or prescription given to patient | 7 |
| Referral form or prescription unspecified process for transfer | 11 |
| Referral triage system | 1 |
| Unclear | 34 |
| Participant-provider initial contact | |
| Email contact | 1 |
| Mail contact | 1 |
| Telephone contact | 5 |
| Unspecified contact method | 50 |
| Referrer or prescriber`s profession1 | |
| Exercise physiologist | 1 |
| Physician or general practitioner | 45 |
| Physiotherapist | 12 |
| Practice nurse | 25 |
| Other referrer | 7 |
| Primary healthcare professional, not specified | 15 |
| Secondary healthcare professional, not specified | 7 |
| Licensed healthcare professional, not specified | 8 |
| Self-referral | 3 |
| PA prescriber/provider qualifications | |
| Degree in sport science | 1 |
| National body accredited | 4 |
| UK level 3 | 6 |
| UK level 4 | 1 |
| PA qualification unspecified | 45 |
| Training for counseling and scheme processes1 | 14 |
| Training about scheme process | 11 |
| Training for motivational interviewing | 11 |
| Training in behavior change techniques | 1 |
| Training in self-determination theory, social cognitive theory | 5 |
| Funding: External or internal funding | 16 |
1may be multiple per study, PARS physical activity referral scheme(s), PA physical activity