Table 2.

Design of a group-based educational and physical training programme (Great) self- management support programme

Physical exercise	Self-management education
0-8 weeks
1-hour sessions, twice a week for 8 weeks. Led by local physiotherapists.	2-hour sessions, once a week for 6 weeks. Led by local health professionals.
Principles:	Themes:
1.Warm-up (15–20 min): exercises for large muscle groups.	1. Establish the group. Assess expectations. Confidentiality.
2. Work-out (30 min); strength, endurance, balance, mobility.	2. Activity and social participation; recommendations and possibilities.
3. Moderate intensity (12–15 on Borg RPE scale) with peaks of higher intensity.	3. Chronic disease(s). Self-management, coping strategies, personal choices.
4. Slow- down, stretching, relaxation (10–15 min).	4. Family, friends, working situations. Chronic disease from relatives’ perspectives.
	5. Communication and cooperation. Interaction with health professionals.
	6. How to move on. Personal goal- setting. Evaluation.
8 weeks -11 months
No supervised exercise activities	3- 4 telephone calls from a local health professional (1 every eight week).
11-12 months
1-hour sessions, once a week for four weeks. Led by local physiotherapists.	One 2 hours follow-up session; Up-date of previous themes, decisions on personal goals after completion at 12 months. Led by local health professionals.