A physical activity intervention for children with type 1 diabetes- steps to active kids with diabetes (STAK-D): a feasibility study

Helen Quirk,Cris Glazebrook,Holly Blake

doi:10.1186/s12887-018-1036-8

Abstract

BackgroundThis study describes the development and feasibility evaluation of a physical activity intervention for children with type 1 diabetes called ‘Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes’ (STAK-D). It aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and study design.MethodsThirteen children aged 9–11 years and their parents were recruited from one paediatric diabetes clinic. A process evaluation was conducted alongside a two-arm randomised feasibility trial, including assessment of rate of recruitment, adherence, retention, data completion and burden, implementation fidelity and adverse events. Qualitative interviews with children (n = 9), parents (n = 8), healthcare professionals (n = 3) and STAK-D volunteers (n = 8) explored intervention acceptability. Interviews were analysed thematically.ResultsRate of recruitment was 25%, with 77% retention at 3-month follow-up. Study burden was low, data completion was high and the intervention was delivered as per protocol. No serious adverse event was reported. Engagement with intervention materials was generally good, but attendance at group activity sessions was low due to logistical barriers. Interview analysis identified preferred methods of recruitment, motivations for recruitment, barriers and facilitators to adherence, the experience of data collection, experience of the STAK-D programme and its perceived benefits.ConclusionsSTAK-D was feasible and acceptable to children, their parents and healthcare professionals, but group sessions may present logistical issues. Recruitment and retention may be improved with a clinic-wide approach to recruitment.Trial registrationThis trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02144337 (16/01/2014).

Highlights

This study describes the development and feasibility evaluation of a physical activity intervention for children with type 1 diabetes called ‘Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes’ (STAK-D)
Groups did not differ on participant characteristics or outcome variables at baseline, except that the control group was all male (n = 5) and had a shorter length of diabetes diagnosis compared to the intervention group (Table 2 and Table 3)
Feasibility of research processes It is possible to recruit children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and their parents to a physical activity intervention, recruitment remains challenging as found in similar research with this population [20, 33]

Summary

Introduction

This study describes the development and feasibility evaluation of a physical activity intervention for children with type 1 diabetes called ‘Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes’ (STAK-D). It aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and study design. Steps To Active Kids (STAK) targets children who have a chronic condition, low self-efficacy for physical activity, low levels of physical activity, or are overweight. It includes educational materials, a physical activity diary and pedometer, group activity sessions and goal-setting strategies using Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques [17]. A cluster-randomised controlled trial in school children aged 9–11 found that STAK improved self-efficacy for physical activity and increased selfreported physical activity at 12 months follow-up [16] (Glazebrook et al, under review)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion