Disclosures: Mary E. Dubon, MD: MedStrat (Products/Services: No) (Employment, Ownership Interest)

Background and/or Objectives: We evaluated the feasibility of implementing a virtual peer health coaching intervention which aimed to increase physical activity behaviors in adolescents with cerebral palsy and spina bifida.

Design: Pilot randomized-control trial of the peer health coaching intervention versus usual care, with follow-up throughout the 3-month intervention period and at 3 months post-intervention.

Setting: Recruitment was performed in pediatric cerebral palsy and spina bifida clinics. The intervention took place virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants: Participants were adolescents 12-17 years old with cerebral palsy (gross motor function classification system levels II or III) or spina bifida with motor impairment with intentions of physical activity engagement.

Interventions: Weekly 30-minute virtual sessions consisting of physical activity-focused coaching over 3 months.

Main Outcome Measures: Feasibility outcome measures evaluated recruitment (goal >10% recruitment rate), stratification (goal for well-balanced intervention/control groups with regard to age, gender, diagnosis), attrition (goal 80% completion of study), and engagement/intervention adherence (goal completion of at least 8 peer health coach sessions).

Results: A total of 68% (25/37) of eligible individuals were enrolled and randomized, including 19 individuals with cerebral palsy (9 control (5 female, 4 male), 10 intervention (5 female, 5 male)) and 6 individuals with spina bifida (2 control (1 female, 1 male), 4 intervention (2 female, 2 male)). The mean age of participants was 14 for both control (range 12-16) and intervention (range 12-17) groups. A total of 86% of participants (12/14) completed the intervention with 79% (11/14) completing at least 8 peer health coaching sessions, including 10/11 (91%) of individuals with cerebral palsy and 2/4 (50%) of individuals with spina bifida.

Conclusions: Amidst societal integration of virtual modes of interaction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this pilot study demonstrated excellent feasibility of implementing a virtual peer health coaching intervention to influence physical activity behaviors in adolescents with physical disabilities, particularly in those with cerebral palsy.

Level of Evidence: Level I

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/enhancing-physical-activity-self-efficacy-in-adolescents-with-physical-disability-through-virtual-peer-health-coaching-feasibility-results/