A Physical Activity Counselling Intervention Is Feasible And Acceptable To Children With Congenital Heart Disease

Physical activity (PA) is an important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Evidence-based interventions are needed to optimally improve PA in children with CHD. PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a theoretically-based PA counselling intervention for children with CHD. METHODS: We designed a 12-week individualized, virtual PA counselling intervention based on behavior change theory. The intervention consisted of 6 sessions with a PA counsellor where participants learned tools for PA promotion through workbook activities. Children aged 9-12 yrs with moderate-to-complex CHD were recruited from BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, Canada. PA was assessed pre- and post-intervention via waist worn 7d accelerometry (ActiGraph GT3X LLC) to measure time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (Evenson 2008 cut points). Participants qualified for the intervention if they were not meeting PA guidelines, as measured by accelerometry, and expressed readiness to change PA, as measured by a questionnaire. Intervention feasibility (recruitment and retention) and acceptability (intervention compliance, optional participant interviews and surveys) were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-three participants completed baseline measures (52% recruitment success). Of these, 12 participants qualified for the intervention (33% male, 10.8 [IQR 9.7-11.5] yrs) with a median MVPA of 37 min/d [IQR 22-46]. Seven participants have completed the PA intervention thus far. Study retention and session attendance have been high (82% and 100%, respectively) and workbook activities have been well received. Some participants increased their MVPA from pre- to post-intervention, but any group increase was not statistically significant (p = 0.438, 95% CI -5.2, 43.0). Interview themes included support systems, participant autonomy, and intervention challenges. All participants who completed the survey would recommend the study to other children with CHD. CONCLUSION: This PA counselling intervention is feasible and acceptable to children with CHD. Preliminary PA data suggests that the intervention may have facilitated increased PA for some participants. Funding: BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Seed Grant.