An online family-based self-monitoring and goal-setting intervention to improve children's physical activity : the FRESH feasibility trial and three-arm pilot RCT

Esther M. F. van Sluijs, Helen E. Brown, Emma Coombes, Claire Hughes, Andrew P. Jones, Katie L. Morton, Justin M. Guagliano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Family-based physical activity promotion presents a promising avenue for promoting whole-family physical activity, but high-quality research is lacking. Objectives: To assess the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of FRESH (Families Reporting Every Step to Health), a child-led online family-based physical activity intervention; and to identify effective and resource-efficient family recruitment strategies. Design: The project consisted of (1) a randomised feasibility trial, (2) a randomised controlled pilot trial and (3) a systematic review and Delphi study. Setting: Norfolk/Suffolk counties, UK. Participants: Families, recruited from schools, workplaces and community settings, were eligible to participate if one child aged 7–11 years and one adult responsible for their care provided written consent; all family members could participate. Interventions: The FRESH intervention, guided by self-determination theory, targeted whole families and was delivered via an online platform. All family members received pedometers and were given website access to select family step challenges to ‘travel’ to target cities around the world, log steps, and track progress as they virtually globetrotted. Families were randomised to FRESH intervention, pedometer-only or control arm. Main outcome measures: Physical (e.g. blood pressure), psychosocial (e.g. family functioning) and behavioural (e.g. device-measured family physical activity) measures were collected at baseline and at 8- and 52-week follow-up. A mixed-methods process evaluation assessed the acceptability of the intervention and evaluation. Data sources review: Systematic search of four databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycINFO and SCOPUS). Review methods: Articles were screened in duplicate, and data extraction was fully checked. Academic experts participated in the three-round Delphi study. Data were combined to identify effective and resource-efficient family recruitment strategies.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages144
JournalPublic Health Research
Volume9
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Open Access - Access Right Statement

© Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO 2021. This work was produced by van Sluijs et al. under the terms of a commissioning contract issued by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. This issue may be freely reproduced for the purposes of private research and study and extracts (or indeed, the full report) may be included in professional journals provided that suitable acknowledgement is made and the reproduction is not associated with any form of advertising. Applications for commercial reproduction should be addressed to: NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK.

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