Individuals with cerebral palsy are known to have a reduced amount of physical activity; yet, there are no known intervention strategies for improving the number of steps they take each day. This study will use wearable physical activity monitors to assess if behavioral coaching is a viable strategy for combating the reduced physical activity seen in this patient population.
A lack of physical activity in persons with cerebral palsy is known to have cascading effects on their overall health. Despite this recognition, there have been limited attempts to improve the physical activity of this patient population. The overall landscape of this project is that a cohort of persons with cerebral palsy will undergo 8 weeks of physical activity that is guided by behavioral coaching. This study aims to determine the impact of behavioral coaching on 1) the amount of daily physical activity, 2) changes in the sensorimotor cortical activity, 3) changes in laboratory assessments of functional mobility. The participants with CP will initially undergo neuroimaging and a battery of clinical assessments. After completing the baseline tests, the participants will undergo 8-weeks of behavioral coaching where they are encouraged to increase the number of steps they take per-day. After completing the 8 weeks, the participants will repeat the same assessments that were performed at baseline.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
32
The participants will meet with the research staff three times a week during the eight weeks of wearing the activity monitor via video or Webex call with a duration ideally not exceeding one hour. All staff involved in these coaching sessions have been MINT trained and certified and have mastered the skills of motivational interviewing. Their goal will be to discuss with the participant about how successful they have been or not been in increasing their daily step count and movement and discussing the barriers preventing them from achieving that goal. Open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries, balancing change and sustain talk, and eliciting change behavior will all be used accordingly during the sessions. Coaching is tied to the overall results in investigating if motivational interviewing and coaching are effective in increasing movement in populations with cerebral palsy.
Boys Town National Research Hospital
Boys Town, Nebraska, United States
Change in Mobility Test Time
The participant will be asked to perform a series of 10-meter walking tasks such as walking at preferred speed, walking as fast as possible, walking while turning the head, walking around cones, and stepping over a box. The participant will also be asked to walk as far as possible for 1 minute. Completion time will be the primary outcome for these tests. Additionally, the tests will also be digitally video-recorded and scored by an independent assessor.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in Time in 5 Times Sit-to-Stand
The participant will start the test by sitting on a bench. The time it takes to stand up and sit down five times will be the outcome measure.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in Time for Timed Up and Go
The participant will start the test by sitting on a bench. The time it takes the participant to stand-up, walk to a line on the floor that is 3-meters away and return to sitting on the bench will be the outcome measure.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Changes in Brain Activity
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) will be used to assess the changes in the cortical activity while producing a leg motor action and processing peripheral sensations.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.