Feasibility and pilot study of an intervention to support active lifestyles in youth with type 1 diabetes: the ActivPals study

Fiona Mitchell*, Louise Wilkie, Kenneth Robertson, John J Reilly, Alison Kirk

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)
34 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests youth with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) have lower levels of physical activity (PA) than the general population. The ActivPals intervention aimed to support youth with T1D to lead an active lifestyle.
Methods: 20 youth aged 7- 16 with T1D were recruited to a pilot randomised controlled trial. PA and Quality of Life (QoL) were measured using Actigraph GT3X+ monitor and Pediatric QoL scales at baseline and one month follow-up. A two way mixed ANOVA showed indicative effects of the intervention. Qualitative interviews were carried out with 16 participants to explore perceptions of the intervention.
Results: An increase in moderate -vigorous PA was reported in intervention and control group from baseline to follow up (F (1, 14)=5.83; p= 0.03), with no significant between group differences. Participants in both groups reported significantly less overall diabetes 'problems' (F (1, 16)=7.93; p=0.012) and significantly less lifestyle 'problems' (F (1, 16)=7.39 p= 0.015) at follow up. However, both groups also reported significant increases in 'problems' with the day to day diabetes routine (F (1,16) = 6.48; p= 0.022) at follow up. Parents reported significant increased worry about their child’s diabetes at follow up, in both groups (F (1, 14)=5.83; p= 0.046). There was no significant increase in reported hypoglycaemic occurrences despite increased PA. The qualitative data highlights that goal-setting, self-monitoring and social support were effective motivators for increasing PA.
Conclusions: A larger trial with longer follow up should be conducted to explore the effect of the intervention on PA in youth with T1D.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)443-449
Number of pages7
JournalPediatric Diabetes
Volume19
Issue number3
Early online date24 Nov 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 May 2018

Keywords

  • physical activity
  • type 1 diabetes
  • youth
  • intervention

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