Taking part in recommended levels of physical activity in youth with MS may have an important and positive impact on disease symptoms, long-term disability and health outcomes. Unfortunately, youth with MS are highly inactive. In order to address this issue, the investigators have developed an MS-specific mobile application for teens called Active Teens with Multiple Sclerosis (ATOMIC). In this research the investigators will evaluate the feasibility of using the ATOMIC program in youth with MS. The results of this pilot study will provide the data necessary to ensure the ATOMIC program aligns with the needs of youth with MS.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
14
(a) PA Coach, One-on-one Chats. Coaches will conduct three one-on-one phone or video conferencing sessions and will also conduct a text messaging session once per week to reinforce and follow-up on the one-on-one phone sessions during the course of the intervention. (b) PA-Self Monitoring. An activity tracker (Fitbit Charge 2) will be used to allow participants to monitor their activity behaviors (e.g. step counts). (c) PA Information. In addition the coach will send weekly tailored PA informational posts/messages aligned with Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to all participants. (d) Educational Modules. MS specific web-based interactive PA modules will be provided to patients.
Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Feasibility of the ATOMIC program
Determined by calculating accrual rates, drop-out rates, adherence rates with intervention, adverse event rates, proportion of completed study questionnaires, accelerometry and proportion of complete data extraction from ATOMIC app
Time frame: Entire study - up to 24 weeks
Utility of the ATOMIC program
Utility will be addressed through semi-structured interviews that includes both open and closed ended questions. The interviews will be used to elicit the perceptions and preferences of the participants surrounding the use and method of delivery of the PA coaching and program content (e.g. phone, text messaging, posts to app); the usefulness, relevance, and applicability of the ATOMIC program content; as well as facilitators and barriers to use of the program. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted at baseline, six weeks, and post-intervention (twelve weeks). To supplement the interview data, utility will also be captured by counting the number of log-ins to the app and the number of completed coaching sessions and modules.
Time frame: Interview [30 minutes] at baseline
Utility of the ATOMIC program
Utility will be addressed through semi-structured interviews that includes both open and closed ended questions. The interviews will be used to elicit the perceptions and preferences of the participants surrounding the use and method of delivery of the PA coaching and program content (e.g. phone, text messaging, posts to app); the usefulness, relevance, and applicability of the ATOMIC program content; as well as facilitators and barriers to use of the program. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted at baseline, six weeks, and post-intervention (twelve weeks). To supplement the interview data, utility will also be captured by counting the number of log-ins to the app and the number of completed coaching sessions and modules.
Time frame: Interview [30 minutes] at 6 weeks
Utility of the ATOMIC program
Utility will be addressed through semi-structured interviews that includes both open and closed ended questions. The interviews will be used to elicit the perceptions and preferences of the participants surrounding the use and method of delivery of the PA coaching and program content (e.g. phone, text messaging, posts to app); the usefulness, relevance, and applicability of the ATOMIC program content; as well as facilitators and barriers to use of the program. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted at baseline, six weeks, and post-intervention (twelve weeks). To supplement the interview data, utility will also be captured by counting the number of log-ins to the app and the number of completed coaching sessions and modules.
Time frame: Interview [30 minutes] at 12 weeks
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