List of included studies and their characteristics
| Author, year, country | Study design | Study duration (years) | Study groups Intervention versus control | Participants (n) | Mean age (years) | Men (%) | Outcome variables | Primary outcome | Directness | Study limitations | Precision |
| Aittasalo et al,17 2006, Finland | RCT | 2003 (1 year) | I=PAP C2=Usual care | 203 | 47 | 24 | Frequency total PA (IPAQ) Duration total PA (IPAQ) Frequency MVPA (IPAQ) Duration MVPA (IPAQ) | Change in frequency and/or duration of total PA and MVPA Numbers of issued PAP | +/? | ?/− | +/? |
| Hellgren et al,18 2016, Sweden | RCT | 3 years | I1=PAP+ pedometer+cost-free glucose monitoring I2=I1+supervised group sessions (8 for 12 months)+reminder every 3 months C=Usual care | 96 | 63 | 42 | Development of diabetes HOMA-IR HbA1c Waist circumference Systolic blood pressure Diastolic blood pressure Body weight PA (four-level scale) | Not defined | + | +/? | ?/− |
| Hemmingsson et al,19 2009, Sweden | RCT | 2005–2008 (4 years) | I=PAP focused on cycling and walking+bicycle+pedometer C=Group sessions focused on walking+pedometer | 120 | 48 | 0 | Cycling (measured in I, self-assessed in C) Steps (pedometer) Body weight Waist circumference | Achieve cycling ≥2 km/day | + | +/? | ? |
| Kallings et al,20 2009, Sweden* | RCT | 2005–2007 (3 years) | I=PAP C=Written general information | 101 | 68 | 43 | Frequency MVPA (diary) Duration MVPA (diary) Steps (pedometer) Body weight BMI Waist circumference Total body fat (BIA) Systolic blood pressure Diastolic blood pressure Glucose HbA1c Cholesterol Triglycerides HDL LDL | Reduction in cardiometabolic risk factors and relate to change in PA | + | +/? | ? |
| Morén et al,21 2016, Sweden | RCT | 2010–2014 (4 years) | I=PAP C=Usual care | 88 | 71 | 47 | Duration MVPA (accelerometer) Steps (accelerometer) 6-MWT HRQoL (EQ5D-VAS) | Change in level of PA and physical capacity | + | ? | ? |
| Olsson et al,22 2015, Sweden* | RCT | 2005–2007 (3 years) | I=PAP C=Written general information on importance of PA | 101 | 68 | 43 | HRQoL (SF-36) | Level of PA | + | +/? | ? |
| Sjögren et al,23 2012, Sweden* | RCT | 2005–2007 (3 years) | I=PAP C=Written general information | 73 | 68 | 40 | Duration total PA (diary) Steps (pedometer) | Level of PA | + | +/? | ?/− |
| Hendberg et al,24 2014, Sweden | Cohort | 2011–2012 (1 year) | I=PAP+rehabilitation supported by physiotherapist C=Rehabilitation with physiotherapist | 34 | 79 | 47 | PA (Grimby-Frändin) | Confidence in performing daily activities | + | ?/− | − |
| Kallings et al,25 2008, Sweden | Case series | 2001–2003 | I=PAP | 481 | 51 | 25 | Adverse events | Level of physical activity | NA | NA | NA |
*Results from the same RCT.
+No serious problems.
−Major problems.
?Some problems.
BMI, body mass index; C, control; EQ5D-VAS, EuroQoL-5 dimension visual analogue scale; HbA1c, glycated haemoglobin; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HOMA-IR, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance; HRQoL, health-related quality of life; I, intervention; IPAQ, International Physical Activity Questionnaire; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; MVPA, moderate to vigorous physical activity; NA, not applicable; PA, physical activity; PAP, physical activity on prescription; RCT, randomised controlled trial; SF-36, 36-item Short Form survey; 6-MWT, 6 min walk test.