Promoting Physical Activity Through Social Prescribing: A Narrative Review of Literature on the Mechanisms of Change

Julie Sandell Jacobsen; Rasmus Østergaard Nielsen; Nanna Holt Jessen; Halfdan Thorsø Skjerning; Sebastian Skejø; Lene Gissel Rasmussen; Dea Kejlberg Andelius; Solvej Videbæk Bueno; Per Kallestrup; Jeanette Reffstrup Christensen; Knud Ryom

doi:10.1155/hsc/3898705

Promoting Physical Activity Through Social Prescribing: A Narrative Review of Literature on the Mechanisms of Change

Julie Sandell Jacobsen
, Rasmus Østergaard Nielsen
, Nanna Holt Jessen
, Halfdan Thorsø Skjerning
, Sebastian Skejø
, Lene Gissel Rasmussen
, Dea Kejlberg Andelius
, Solvej Videbæk Bueno
, Per Kallestrup
, Jeanette Reffstrup Christensen
, Knud Ryom

Aarhus Universitet
Forskningsenheden for Almen Praksis
Syddansk Universitet

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftsartikel › Forskning › peer review

Abstract

Background: Social prescribing (SP) has received increasing interest in recent years due to its potential to encourage healthpromoting behaviours, such as physical activity (PA). However, to develop efective SP interventions, it is critical to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of change associated with SP and their potential to promote PA. Tis review aimed to synthesise
the mechanisms of change in SP interventions and to develop a logic model illustrating a theoretical framework for SPs potential
to promote PA.

Methods: A narrative review was performed, including a systematic literature search in Medline, Embase and PsycINFO. Te
systematic literature search was fnalised on 21 February 2023, and studies investigating mechanisms of change in SP interventions
were included. Findings were synthesised and illustrated in a logic model illustrating how SP interventions may promote PA as an
outcome.

Results: Te systematic literature search identifed 340 studies, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria. Te SP interventions
comprised three processes: referral, linking and engagement. Tese processes infuenced various mechanisms of change, which
were classifed into two perspectives. From a person-centred perspective, the mechanisms with the potential to promote PA
comprised self-efcacy, motivation, empowerment and ‘having a voice’. Tese mechanisms were associated with crucial elements
of SP, such as tailoring to needs, trusted relationships, nonstigmatising activities and peer-to-peer support. From a system-based
perspective, the mechanisms with the potential to promote PA included system capacity and resources together with shared
understanding and knowledge. Tese mechanisms were related to crucial elements of SP, including reliance on established
communication and network, local agency and accessibility.

Conclusion: A person-centred perspective describes SPs potential to promote PA through various mechanisms of change.
However, these mechanisms appear to be intricately connected with the local context. Consequently, SP intervention research
could beneft from incorporating contextual factors and, ideally, also integrating system thinking.

Originalsprog	Engelsk
Artikelnummer	3898705
Tidsskrift	Health and Social Care in the Community
Vol/bind	2025
Udgave nummer	1
Antal sider	17
ISSN	0966-0410
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1155/hsc/3898705
Status	Udgivet - jan. 2025

Emneord

Sundhed, ernæring og livskvalitet
communities
logic models
physical inactivity
primary care
system thinking

Adgang til dokumentet

10.1155/hsc/3898705Licens: CC BY

Andre filer og links

https://doi.org/10.1155/hsc/3898705

Citationsformater

Jacobsen, J. S., Nielsen, R. Ø., Jessen, N. H., Skjerning, H. T., Skejø, S., Rasmussen, L. G., Andelius, D. K., Bueno, S. V., Kallestrup, P., Christensen, J. R., & Ryom, K. (2025). Promoting Physical Activity Through Social Prescribing: A Narrative Review of Literature on the Mechanisms of Change. Health and Social Care in the Community, 2025(1), Artikel 3898705. https://doi.org/10.1155/hsc/3898705

@article{a4d444d1ae154b14a76bcc2b61082099,

title = "Promoting Physical Activity Through Social Prescribing: A Narrative Review of Literature on the Mechanisms of Change",

abstract = "Background: Social prescribing (SP) has received increasing interest in recent years due to its potential to encourage healthpromoting behaviours, such as physical activity (PA). However, to develop efective SP interventions, it is critical to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of change associated with SP and their potential to promote PA. Tis review aimed to synthesise the mechanisms of change in SP interventions and to develop a logic model illustrating a theoretical framework for SPs potential to promote PA. Methods: A narrative review was performed, including a systematic literature search in Medline, Embase and PsycINFO. Te systematic literature search was fnalised on 21 February 2023, and studies investigating mechanisms of change in SP interventions were included. Findings were synthesised and illustrated in a logic model illustrating how SP interventions may promote PA as an outcome. Results: Te systematic literature search identifed 340 studies, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria. Te SP interventions comprised three processes: referral, linking and engagement. Tese processes infuenced various mechanisms of change, which were classifed into two perspectives. From a person-centred perspective, the mechanisms with the potential to promote PA comprised self-efcacy, motivation, empowerment and {\textquoteleft}having a voice{\textquoteright}. Tese mechanisms were associated with crucial elements of SP, such as tailoring to needs, trusted relationships, nonstigmatising activities and peer-to-peer support. From a system-based perspective, the mechanisms with the potential to promote PA included system capacity and resources together with shared understanding and knowledge. Tese mechanisms were related to crucial elements of SP, including reliance on established communication and network, local agency and accessibility. Conclusion: A person-centred perspective describes SPs potential to promote PA through various mechanisms of change. However, these mechanisms appear to be intricately connected with the local context. Consequently, SP intervention research could beneft from incorporating contextual factors and, ideally, also integrating system thinking.",

keywords = "health, nutrition and quality of life, communities, logic models, physical inactivity, primary care, system thinking",

author = "Jacobsen, \{Julie Sandell\} and Nielsen, \{Rasmus {\O}stergaard\} and Jessen, \{Nanna Holt\} and Skjerning, \{Halfdan Thors{\o}\} and Sebastian Skej{\o} and Rasmussen, \{Lene Gissel\} and Andelius, \{Dea Kejlberg\} and Bueno, \{Solvej Videb{\ae}k\} and Per Kallestrup and Christensen, \{Jeanette Reffstrup\} and Knud Ryom",

year = "2025",

month = jan,

doi = "10.1155/hsc/3898705",

language = "English",

volume = "2025",

journal = "Health and Social Care in the Community",

issn = "0966-0410",

publisher = "John Wiley and Sons Ltd",

number = "1",

}

Jacobsen, JS, Nielsen, RØ, Jessen, NH, Skjerning, HT, Skejø, S, Rasmussen, LG, Andelius, DK, Bueno, SV, Kallestrup, P, Christensen, JR & Ryom, K 2025, 'Promoting Physical Activity Through Social Prescribing: A Narrative Review of Literature on the Mechanisms of Change', Health and Social Care in the Community, bind 2025, nr. 1, 3898705. https://doi.org/10.1155/hsc/3898705

TY - JOUR

T1 - Promoting Physical Activity Through Social Prescribing: A Narrative Review of Literature on the Mechanisms of Change

AU - Jacobsen, Julie Sandell

AU - Nielsen, Rasmus Østergaard

AU - Jessen, Nanna Holt

AU - Skjerning, Halfdan Thorsø

AU - Skejø, Sebastian

AU - Rasmussen, Lene Gissel

AU - Andelius, Dea Kejlberg

AU - Bueno, Solvej Videbæk

AU - Kallestrup, Per

AU - Christensen, Jeanette Reffstrup

AU - Ryom, Knud

PY - 2025/1

Y1 - 2025/1

N2 - Background: Social prescribing (SP) has received increasing interest in recent years due to its potential to encourage healthpromoting behaviours, such as physical activity (PA). However, to develop efective SP interventions, it is critical to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of change associated with SP and their potential to promote PA. Tis review aimed to synthesise the mechanisms of change in SP interventions and to develop a logic model illustrating a theoretical framework for SPs potential to promote PA. Methods: A narrative review was performed, including a systematic literature search in Medline, Embase and PsycINFO. Te systematic literature search was fnalised on 21 February 2023, and studies investigating mechanisms of change in SP interventions were included. Findings were synthesised and illustrated in a logic model illustrating how SP interventions may promote PA as an outcome. Results: Te systematic literature search identifed 340 studies, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria. Te SP interventions comprised three processes: referral, linking and engagement. Tese processes infuenced various mechanisms of change, which were classifed into two perspectives. From a person-centred perspective, the mechanisms with the potential to promote PA comprised self-efcacy, motivation, empowerment and ‘having a voice’. Tese mechanisms were associated with crucial elements of SP, such as tailoring to needs, trusted relationships, nonstigmatising activities and peer-to-peer support. From a system-based perspective, the mechanisms with the potential to promote PA included system capacity and resources together with shared understanding and knowledge. Tese mechanisms were related to crucial elements of SP, including reliance on established communication and network, local agency and accessibility. Conclusion: A person-centred perspective describes SPs potential to promote PA through various mechanisms of change. However, these mechanisms appear to be intricately connected with the local context. Consequently, SP intervention research could beneft from incorporating contextual factors and, ideally, also integrating system thinking.

AB - Background: Social prescribing (SP) has received increasing interest in recent years due to its potential to encourage healthpromoting behaviours, such as physical activity (PA). However, to develop efective SP interventions, it is critical to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of change associated with SP and their potential to promote PA. Tis review aimed to synthesise the mechanisms of change in SP interventions and to develop a logic model illustrating a theoretical framework for SPs potential to promote PA. Methods: A narrative review was performed, including a systematic literature search in Medline, Embase and PsycINFO. Te systematic literature search was fnalised on 21 February 2023, and studies investigating mechanisms of change in SP interventions were included. Findings were synthesised and illustrated in a logic model illustrating how SP interventions may promote PA as an outcome. Results: Te systematic literature search identifed 340 studies, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria. Te SP interventions comprised three processes: referral, linking and engagement. Tese processes infuenced various mechanisms of change, which were classifed into two perspectives. From a person-centred perspective, the mechanisms with the potential to promote PA comprised self-efcacy, motivation, empowerment and ‘having a voice’. Tese mechanisms were associated with crucial elements of SP, such as tailoring to needs, trusted relationships, nonstigmatising activities and peer-to-peer support. From a system-based perspective, the mechanisms with the potential to promote PA included system capacity and resources together with shared understanding and knowledge. Tese mechanisms were related to crucial elements of SP, including reliance on established communication and network, local agency and accessibility. Conclusion: A person-centred perspective describes SPs potential to promote PA through various mechanisms of change. However, these mechanisms appear to be intricately connected with the local context. Consequently, SP intervention research could beneft from incorporating contextual factors and, ideally, also integrating system thinking.

KW - health, nutrition and quality of life

KW - communities

KW - logic models

KW - physical inactivity

KW - primary care

KW - system thinking

UR - https://doi.org/10.1155/hsc/3898705

U2 - 10.1155/hsc/3898705

DO - 10.1155/hsc/3898705

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0966-0410

VL - 2025

JO - Health and Social Care in the Community

JF - Health and Social Care in the Community

IS - 1

M1 - 3898705

ER -