Can telehealth increase physical activity in individuals with Rett syndrome? A multicentre randomized controlled trial

Jenny Downs, A Marie Blackmore, Kingsley Wong, Nicholas Buckley, Meir Lotan, Cochavit Elefant, Helen Leonard, Michelle Stahlhut

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effects of a physical activity programme on sedentary behaviour and physical activity in ambulant individuals with Rett syndrome (RTT).

METHOD: In this multicentre randomized waitlist-controlled trial, we recruited 43 ambulatory individuals with RTT in Australia and Denmark. Adequate baseline data were obtained from 38 participants (mean age 20 years, range 6-41, SD 10 years 6 months, one male). All completed the trial. Participants received 12 weeks of usual care (n = 19) or a goal-based, telehealth-supported programme in which activities occurred in their familiar environments (n = 19). Sedentary time and daily steps were assessed at baseline, post-test, and 12-week follow-up. The data analyst was blinded to group allocation.

RESULTS: Sedentary time decreased in the intervention group by 2.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] -6.0 to 0.6) and increased in the control group by 1.3% (95% CI -4.8 to 7.4). Intervention and control groups increased the number of their steps per day by 264.7 (95% CI -72.2 to 601.5) and 104.8 (95% CI -178.1 to 387.7) respectively. No significant differences were found on any outcomes at post-test. There were three minor adverse events.

INTERPRETATION: A goal-based telehealth intervention seemed to produce small improvements in physical activity for individuals with RTT. Families require more support to increase these individuals' extremely low physical activity levels.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)489-497
Number of pages9
JournalDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology
Volume65
Issue number4
DOIs
StateE-pub ahead of print - 25 Oct 2022

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