None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Current cross sectional studies indicate that adolescents with CP perform on average significantly less PA, at a lower intensity, than typically developing adolescents, for all time periods of the week, including during structured physical activity classes (van den Berg-Emons et al. 1995; Bjornson et al. 2007; Maher et al. 2007). A study by Bjornson (2007) indicates that youth with cerebral palsy record on average 2000 steps less per day than youth who are developing typically (Bjornson et al. 2007). Due to these factors the promotion of PA in children and adolescents with CP has become a public health priority (Hogan et al. 2000). To date, there have been no studies evaluating the efficacy of a community based intervention for the promotion of physical activity in adolescents with cerebral palsy. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel, stage matched; community based intervention for; increasing habitual physical activity (HPA) counts (measured by the ActiGraph); increasing time spent in moderate intensity physical activity and; decreasing time spent sedentary in adolescents with cerebral palsy. The second aim of this study is to evaluate whether the novel stage matched, community based intervention increases; perceived quality of life; physical capacity; participation in life situations and self efficacy in adolescents with cerebral palsy. Finally this study aims to qualitatively evaluate the participants and parents/guardians perceived effectiveness and acceptability of a stage matched, community based intervention. In order to evaluate the efficacy of this intervention, the intervention will be compared to a health behaviour intervention comprising of oral health, sun safety and sleep. Participants enrolled in the intervention will be told that they are participating in a program that aims to investigate their thoughts and feelings regarding four health behaviours; physical activity, sun safety, oral health and sleep. All of the activities and discussions undertaken in the intervention will be introduced and facilitated based on this premise. This technique was chosen in order to facilitate discussion regarding physical activity without pushing the participant to discuss directly, or commit to, change. Parents will be informed that this type of discussion can lead to behaviour change.
Interventions
This intervention aims to promote physical activity in adolescents with cerebral palsy. Participants will be randomly to either a physical activity intervention or a healthy lifestyle intervention. Both the physical activity intervention and the healthy behaviour intervention will comprise of 9 face-to-face session delivered over three months. Both intervention programs will be delivered by an exercise physiologist accredited with the Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), the recognised pr
This intervention aims to promote physical activity in adolescents with cerebral palsy. Participants will be randomly to either a physical activity intervention or a healthy lifestyle intervention. Both the physical activity intervention and the healthy behaviour intervention will comprise of 9 face-to-face session delivered over three months. Both intervention programs will be delivered by an exercise physiologist accredited with the Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), the recognised professional association for people with a university qualification in exercise and sports science in Australia. The physical activity intervention utilises a range of individually tailored, evidence based strategies that aim to transition individuals through the first three stages of change – pre-contemplation, contemplation and preparation (Prochaska and Velicer 1997). One of the principal strategies used will be motivational interviewing, which focuses on enhancing the intrinsic motivation of the individual for change by exploring and resolving ambivalence, in order to promote natural change (Emmons and Rollnick 2001). This process will be facilitated by influencing factors related to behaviour change including the; knowledge underlying the behaviour; value of the behaviour; perceived costs and benefits of the behaviour; barriers to change and beliefs regarding the participant’s ability to perform the behaviour (Bundy 2004). In addition to motivational interviewing the intervention uses other evidence based strategies in order to facilitate and support change. The selection of these strategies is determined by the stage of change (i.e. precontemplation, contemplation and preparation) that the participant is determined to be in based on the stage of change algorithm. The use of other evidence based strategies including using diaries, building social support and goal setting are not specific to any stage of change. The use of these strategies is determined by the information gained in the preparticipation screening and initial strategies (e.g. the participant may choose the “the activities I enjoy doing are with my friends” value card which indicates that social support may be a strategy). The evidence based strategies of primary importance to this intervention include; the Leisure Diagnostic Battery (Ellis and Witt 1994), diaries and log books, measuring activity levels with a pedometer, goals setting, rewards systems and social support.
Sponsors
The study will be funded by the students PhD fund (Kelly Clanchy).
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
10 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Adolescents 10-16 years of age Medically confirmed diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy Living within 100km of the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Cognitive ability commensurate to participating in a physical activity program. Gross Motor Classification Scale rating I-III (the ability to ambulate with or without aids). Physically inactive (Stage of Change Classification 1-3). - Stage of Change Level 1- not completing at least 3 x 20 minute sessions of moderate intensity physical activity per week and has no intention of being physically active. - Stage of Change Level 2- not completing at least 3 x 20 minute sessions of moderate intensity physical activity per week but would like to be physically active. - Stage of Change Level 3- is completing some physical activity, however not on a regular basis.
Exclusion criteria
Intramuscular Botulinum toxin A (BoNTA) to the lower limbs in the 6 months prior to study entry. Surgery on lower limbs in the last 12 months. (This study recruits at a number of different time-points, a participant who is not eligible initially may be eligible for enrolment at a later stage in the study).
Outcome results
None listed