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. 2024 Jul 11;58(8):527-538.
doi: 10.1093/abm/kaae033.

Behavior Change Techniques Involved in Physical Activity Interventions for Children With Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review

Hamsini Sivaramakrishnan  1   2 , Elizabeth Davis  1   2   3 , Lerato Obadimeji  1 , Jane Valentine  1   3 , Fiona Wood  4   5   6 , Vinutha Shetty  1   2   3 , Amy Finlay-Jones  1   2   7
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Behavior Change Techniques Involved in Physical Activity Interventions for Children With Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review

Hamsini Sivaramakrishnan et al. Ann Behav Med. .

Abstract

Background: Behavior change techniques (BCTs) have been extensively used in physical activity interventions for children, however, no systematic reviews have synthesized their effects.

Purpose: The present review aimed to identify the most promising BCTs used in physical activity interventions associated with (i) increased physical activity behavior and (ii) positive psychosocial outcomes in children with chronic conditions.

Methods: A systematic search of 6 databases identified 61 articles as eligible for inclusion. Data, including BCTs, were extracted from these studies and analyzed descriptively. Due to the heterogeneity of interventions, chronic conditions, and outcome measures, a meta-analysis was not conducted.

Results: Social support (unspecified), graded tasks, generalization of target behavior, and credible source were the most commonly reported and most promising (i.e., present in 2+ studies evidencing significant effects) BCTs across all studies. These BCTs were found to be especially relevant to improving psychosocial outcomes in the short- and long-term and improving physical activity behaviors in the long-term. Meanwhile, to improve short-term physical activity behaviors, in addition to social support (unspecified), action planning, goal setting (behavior), and problem solving were found to be promising BCTs.

Conclusions: The BCTs identified in this review may be relevant to incorporate when planning future interventions to support physical activity and psychosocial outcomes for children with chronic conditions.

Keywords: Adolescent; Chronic disease; Chronic illness; Exercise; Implementation; Young people.

Plain language summary

Children with chronic conditions experience several barriers to engaging in physical activity. In order to overcome these unique barriers, physical activity interventions would need to incorporate specific strategies (called behavior change techniques [BCTs]) to encourage physical activity participation. The present review sought to identify BCTs that were successfully applied to physical activity interventions to increase physical activity behavior and improve psychosocial outcomes for children with chronic conditions. Across the 61 studies included within this review, the most commonly applied BCTs were providing instruction, allowing opportunities to practice the behavior, and demonstration of the behavior. Social support was also found to be the a successful BCT to increase physical activity behavior and improve psychosocial outcomes in the short- and long-term. Future physical activity interventions aimed at supporting physical activity behavior and psychosocial outcomes of children with chronic conditions could benefit from incorporating these strategies within intervention planning and delivery.

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