Abstract
PURPOSE: Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at increased risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease as they face limited opportunities and access to physical activity (PA). Barriers to PA may include impairments with cognitive/social/communication, limited access due to transportation needs/costs, and more recently, the Covid-19 pandemic. The objective of this study is to determine whether a 10-week Physical Activity via Telehealth (PACT) program, a peer-guided telehealth + use of a wearable step activity device (Fitbit) would improve PA outcomes in adults with ASD. METHODS: Eighteen subjects (11-males), aged 18-32 diagnosed with ASD were randomized into either a PACT or Wait-list Control (WLC) group. Anthropometrics to determine Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR) was collected via guided instruction. Self-report and steps/day PA data were collected utilizing the Godin Leisure Survey (GL), research-grade step activity monitor (StepWatch), and FitBit Inspire (FB). PACT included 10-weeks of peer-supported telehealth sessions + daily step activity self-monitoring with FB device. Data was analyzed and interpreted using descriptive statistics, repeated-measures ANOVA, and paired T-tests. RESULTS: All subjects completed PACT and were compliant with FB during PACT and WLC phases, and 9 completed the WLC prior to crossing over. Mean BMI, and WHtR was 28.6 kg/m2and .56. No differences in anthropometrics or steps/day PA between PACT and WLC group at baseline. Self-report of PA increased at 10-weeks for PACT group as per GL from 26.2 to 67.8, p = .002. Although not significant, StepWatch steps/day trended upwards from 6,700 to 7,756 for PACT only while trending downward by 1453 steps/day for WLC group. The effects of PACT over time for all participants following PACT revealed an increase in steps/day from 6,727 to 7,316, p = .048. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with ASD who completed PACT demonstrated improvements in self-report PA and a positive trend in steps/day. Although, a small cohort, study results support use of a Fitbit device and peer-supported telehealth for this population who face multiple barriers to participate in community-based PA programs and have greater propensity towards obesity and high-risk abdominal adiposity.
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