Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2014 Feb 3:14:31.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-14-31.

A pedometer based physical activity self-management program for children and adolescents with physical disability - design and methods of the StepUp study

Carol Maher  1 , Angela Crettenden, Kerry Evans, Myra Thiessen, Monica Toohey, Jim Dollman
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A pedometer based physical activity self-management program for children and adolescents with physical disability - design and methods of the StepUp study

Carol Maher et al. BMC Pediatr. .

Abstract

Background: Physical activity affords a wide range of physiological and psychological benefits for children and adolescents, yet many children with physical disabilities are insufficiently active to achieve these benefits. The StepUp program is a newly developed 6-week pedometer-based self-management program for children and adolescents with physical disability. Participants use a pedometer to undertake a 6-week physical activity challenge, with personalised daily step count goals set in consultation with a physiotherapist. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the StepUp program, using a randomised control trial design.

Methods/design: A target sample of 70 young people with physical disabilities (aged 8-17 years, ambulant with or without aid, residing in Adelaide) will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to either intervention or control following completion of baseline assessments. Assessments are repeated at 8 weeks (immediately post intervention) and 20 weeks (12 weeks post intervention). The primary outcome is objective physical activity determined from 7 day accelerometry, and the secondary outcomes are exercise intention, physical self-worth, quality of life and fatigue. Analyses will be undertaken on an intention-to-treat basis using random effects mixed modelling.

Discussion: This study will provide information about the potential of a low-touch and low-cost physical activity intervention for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12613000023752.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Examples of the Step Up program materials. Upper left panel: Step Up booklet cover; Upper right: example of weekly topic (“Screen time”); lower left: example of weekly log sheet for recording daily steps; lower right: wall sticker chart, including stickers for reaching daily step goal and stickers for extra challenges.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Trost S. Discussion paper for the development of recommendations for children’s and youths’ participation in health promoting physical activity. Canberra: Australian Department of Health and Ageing; 2005.
    1. Andersson C, Mattsson E. Adults with cerebral palsy: a survey describing problems, needs, and resources, with special emphasis on locomotion. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2001;43:76–82. doi: 10.1017/S0012162201. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Jahnsen R, Villien L, Egeland T, Stanghelle JK, Holm I. Locomotion skills in adults with cerebral palsy. Clin Rehabil. 2003;18:309–316. - PubMed
    1. Santiago MC, Coyle CP. Leisure-time physical activity and secondary conditions in women with physical disabilities. Disabil Rehabil. 2004;26:485–494. doi: 10.1080/09638280410001663139. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Basaran S, Guler-Uysal F, Ergen N, Seydaoglu G, Bingol-Karakoç G, Ufuk Altintas D. Effects of physical exercise on quality of life, exercise capacity and pulmonary function in children with asthma. J Rehabil Med. 2006;38:130–135. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources