The development and feasibility of a randomised family-based physical activity promotion intervention: the Families Reporting Every Step to Health (FRESH) study
Abstract Background There is a need for high-quality research aiming to increase physical activity in families. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of FRESH (Families Reporting Every Step to Health), a child-led family-based physical activity intervention delivered online. Methods...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-02-01
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| Series: | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40814-019-0408-7 |
| _version_ | 1819169182624776192 |
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| author | Justin M. Guagliano Helen Elizabeth Brown Emma Coombes Claire Hughes Andy P. Jones Katie L. Morton Edward C. F. Wilson Esther M. F. van Sluijs |
| author_facet | Justin M. Guagliano Helen Elizabeth Brown Emma Coombes Claire Hughes Andy P. Jones Katie L. Morton Edward C. F. Wilson Esther M. F. van Sluijs |
| author_sort | Justin M. Guagliano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background There is a need for high-quality research aiming to increase physical activity in families. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of FRESH (Families Reporting Every Step to Health), a child-led family-based physical activity intervention delivered online. Methods In a two-armed randomised feasibility study, 12 families (with an 8–10-year-old index child) were allocated to a ‘child-only’ (CO) or ‘family’ arm (FAM) of the theory-based FRESH intervention. Both received access to the FRESH website, allowing participants to select step challenges to ‘travel’ to target cities around the world, log their steps, and track their progress as they virtually globetrot. Only index children wore pedometers in CO; in FAM, all family members wore pedometers and worked towards collective goals. All family members were eligible to participate in the evaluation. Mixed-methods process evaluation (questionnaires and family focus groups) at 6-week follow-up consisted of completing questionnaires assessing acceptability of the intervention and accompanying effectiveness evaluation, focussed on physical (e.g. fitness, blood pressure), psychosocial (e.g. social support), and behavioural (e.g. objectively-measured family physical activity) measures. Results All families were retained (32 participants). Parents enjoyed FRESH and all children found it fun. More FAM children wanted to continue with FRESH, found the website easy to use, and enjoyed wearing pedometers. FAM children also found it easier to reach goals. Most CO families would have preferred whole family participation. Compared to CO, FAM exhibited greater website engagement as they travelled to more cities (36 ± 11 vs. 13 ± 8) and failed fewer challenges (1.5 ± 1 vs. 3 ± 1). Focus groups also revealed that most families wanted elements of competition. All children enjoyed being part of the evaluation, and adults disagreed that there were too many intervention measures (overall, 2.4 ± 1.3) or that data collection took too long (overall, 2.2 ± 1.1). Conclusion FRESH was feasible and acceptable to participating families; however, findings favoured the FAM group. Recruitment, intervention fidelity and delivery and some measurement procedures are particular areas that require further attention for optimisation. Testing the preliminary effectiveness of FRESH on family physical activity is a necessary next step. Trial registration This study was registered and given an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number (ISRCTN12789422). Registered 16 March 2016. http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12789422 |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T19:15:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6da1fc58b76d4515b4418eb1a5df397b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-5784 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T19:15:26Z |
| publishDate | 2019-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
| spelling | doaj.art-6da1fc58b76d4515b4418eb1a5df397b2022-12-21T18:15:32ZengBMCPilot and Feasibility Studies2055-57842019-02-015111510.1186/s40814-019-0408-7The development and feasibility of a randomised family-based physical activity promotion intervention: the Families Reporting Every Step to Health (FRESH) studyJustin M. Guagliano0Helen Elizabeth Brown1Emma Coombes2Claire Hughes3Andy P. Jones4Katie L. Morton5Edward C. F. Wilson6Esther M. F. van Sluijs7MRC Epidemiology Unit and UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of CambridgeMRC Epidemiology Unit and UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of CambridgeNorwich Medical School and UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of East AngliaCentre for Family Research, University of CambridgeNorwich Medical School and UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of East AngliaMRC Epidemiology Unit and UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of CambridgeCambridge Centre for Health Services Research, Institute of Public Health, University of CambridgeMRC Epidemiology Unit and UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of CambridgeAbstract Background There is a need for high-quality research aiming to increase physical activity in families. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of FRESH (Families Reporting Every Step to Health), a child-led family-based physical activity intervention delivered online. Methods In a two-armed randomised feasibility study, 12 families (with an 8–10-year-old index child) were allocated to a ‘child-only’ (CO) or ‘family’ arm (FAM) of the theory-based FRESH intervention. Both received access to the FRESH website, allowing participants to select step challenges to ‘travel’ to target cities around the world, log their steps, and track their progress as they virtually globetrot. Only index children wore pedometers in CO; in FAM, all family members wore pedometers and worked towards collective goals. All family members were eligible to participate in the evaluation. Mixed-methods process evaluation (questionnaires and family focus groups) at 6-week follow-up consisted of completing questionnaires assessing acceptability of the intervention and accompanying effectiveness evaluation, focussed on physical (e.g. fitness, blood pressure), psychosocial (e.g. social support), and behavioural (e.g. objectively-measured family physical activity) measures. Results All families were retained (32 participants). Parents enjoyed FRESH and all children found it fun. More FAM children wanted to continue with FRESH, found the website easy to use, and enjoyed wearing pedometers. FAM children also found it easier to reach goals. Most CO families would have preferred whole family participation. Compared to CO, FAM exhibited greater website engagement as they travelled to more cities (36 ± 11 vs. 13 ± 8) and failed fewer challenges (1.5 ± 1 vs. 3 ± 1). Focus groups also revealed that most families wanted elements of competition. All children enjoyed being part of the evaluation, and adults disagreed that there were too many intervention measures (overall, 2.4 ± 1.3) or that data collection took too long (overall, 2.2 ± 1.1). Conclusion FRESH was feasible and acceptable to participating families; however, findings favoured the FAM group. Recruitment, intervention fidelity and delivery and some measurement procedures are particular areas that require further attention for optimisation. Testing the preliminary effectiveness of FRESH on family physical activity is a necessary next step. Trial registration This study was registered and given an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number (ISRCTN12789422). Registered 16 March 2016. http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12789422http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40814-019-0408-7ChildrenYouthParentMothersFathersMums |
| spellingShingle | Justin M. Guagliano Helen Elizabeth Brown Emma Coombes Claire Hughes Andy P. Jones Katie L. Morton Edward C. F. Wilson Esther M. F. van Sluijs The development and feasibility of a randomised family-based physical activity promotion intervention: the Families Reporting Every Step to Health (FRESH) study Pilot and Feasibility Studies Children Youth Parent Mothers Fathers Mums |
| title | The development and feasibility of a randomised family-based physical activity promotion intervention: the Families Reporting Every Step to Health (FRESH) study |
| title_full | The development and feasibility of a randomised family-based physical activity promotion intervention: the Families Reporting Every Step to Health (FRESH) study |
| title_fullStr | The development and feasibility of a randomised family-based physical activity promotion intervention: the Families Reporting Every Step to Health (FRESH) study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The development and feasibility of a randomised family-based physical activity promotion intervention: the Families Reporting Every Step to Health (FRESH) study |
| title_short | The development and feasibility of a randomised family-based physical activity promotion intervention: the Families Reporting Every Step to Health (FRESH) study |
| title_sort | development and feasibility of a randomised family based physical activity promotion intervention the families reporting every step to health fresh study |
| topic | Children Youth Parent Mothers Fathers Mums |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40814-019-0408-7 |
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