RecruitingACTRN12620001124921

A Facebook delivered physical activity focused group lifestyle intervention for the families of children with genetic epilepsy

Feasibility of a Facebook delivered physical activity focused group lifestyle intervention for the families of children with genetic epilepsy

Sponsor

UNSW

Enrollment

20 participants

Start Date

Aug 10, 2020

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Genetic epilepsy Depression

Summary

This study will recruit sedentary parents/primary carers of children with epilepsy and their chosen support partner to a 4 week, group based physical activity promotion intervention delivered online through a private Facebook group. The group will allow members to receive information and contribute to weekly conversations on pre-specified topics related to physical activity, e.g goal setting, reducing sedentary behaviour and overcoming barriers. The purpose of the Facebook group is to facilitate social support and provide participants with a platform to exchange personal experiences including barriers and facilitators to commencing and maintaining a PA program. All participants will also be provided with a Fitbit and encouraged to set goals and track their PA levels as a way to support self-monitoring.

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 18 YearssMax Age: 65 Yearss

Inclusion Criteria2

This research study will recruit a convenience sample of i) parents/primary carers of children with genetic epilepsy, ii) aged 18-65 years, iii) currently physically inactive defined as engaging in less than 150 mins per week of moderate-vigorous physical activity per week, iv) cleared to participate in an exercise program (absence of any American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) absolute contraindications to exercise participation). Participants must also speak English, have internet access and an active Facebook account or be willing to create one.
The parents/primary carer must also nominate their support partner/carer who may be any person with a close personal relationship to them e.g. partner, family member, carer or friend who have at least weekly in-person contact with each other. This person must also be between 18-65 years and be medically absent from any ACSM absolute contraindications to exercise.

Exclusion Criteria2

Participants will be screened prior to commencement of the study and those who receive a score in the K10 questionnaire of >30 will be sent the mental health service utilization questionnaire and asked whether any mental health medication has changed in the past 4 weeks. If these participants are not receiving treatment they will be called by the research team who will recommended they do and then exclude them from the study. Likewise, those whose medications have changed in the past 4 weeks will also be contacted and excluded.
Participants will also be screened with the physical activity vital sign and the ESSA pre-screening tool. Those who exceed 150mins of moderate-vigorous PA will be excluded and those who answer yes to any of the 7 ESSA pre-screening questions must get clearance to exercise from a general practitioner.

Interested in this trial?

Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.

Interventions

The physical activity intervention will be 4-weeks in duration and be delivered online through a private Facebook group. The group will be titled ‘Movement for the parents and families of children with genetic epilepsy.’ The research team will provide education on pre-determined weekly topics and facilitate discussion boards e.g. goal setting, barriers and sedentary behaviour. The topics will include: 1. Introductions/barriers to activity, 2. Goal setting and ways to address barriers, 3. Resistance/aerobic guidelines and resources, 4. Review of progress, plan going forward. These posts will all occur from the study generated account. Participants will be provided with a Fitbit prior to the intervention and asked to wear it daily. This is an activity tracker worn on the wrist that measures data such as steps and active minutes and syncs to a personal Fitbit dashboard where participants can set personal goals and track progress. The research team will be using Fitbit’s health solutions platform where they will be able to log in and access data from the participants activity trackers. The Fitbit will be encouraged to be worn during waking hours, but can also be worn overnight if participants choose.The health solutions platform is typically used for workplaces however we have will use a private group for our study. After the 4-week trial participants will have the choice to remain in the Facebook group and continue to use it as a form of social support for exercise without the input from facilitators. There is no minimum requirement of access to the Facebook group, however participants will be encouraged to check it regularly. Adherence will be measured by views per post on the Facebook group.