Promoting physical activity in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis through an internet-based program: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are less physically active than healthy peers. Therefore, we developed an Internet-based intervention to improve physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the program in improving PA.


METHODS
PA was determined by activity-related energy expenditure, PA level, time spent on moderate to vigorous PA, and the number of days with > or =1 hour of moderate to vigorous activity, and was assessed with a 7-day activity diary. Aerobic exercise capacity was assessed by means of a Bruce treadmill test and was recorded as maximum endurance time. Disease activity was assessed by using the JIA core set. Adherence was electronically monitored.


RESULTS
Of 59 patients, 33 eligible patients were included and randomized in an intervention (n = 17, mean +/- SD age 10.6 +/- 1.5 years) or control waiting-list group (n = 16, mean +/- SD age 10.8 +/- 1.4 years). All patients completed baseline and T1 testing. PA significantly improved in both groups. Maximum endurance time significantly improved in the intervention group but not in the control group. In a subgroup analysis for patients with low PA (intervention: n = 7, control: n = 5), PA improved in the intervention group but not in the control group. The intervention was safe, feasible, and showed a good adherence.


CONCLUSIONS
An Internet-based program for children with JIA ages 8-12 years directed at promoting PA in daily life effectively improves PA in those patients with low PA levels. It is also able to improve endurance and it is safe, feasible, and has good adherence.
Lelieveld
Otto T H M
OT
University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. o.t.h.m.lelieveld@rev.umcg.nl
Armbrust
Wineke
W
Geertzen
Jan H B
JH
de Graaf
Inez
I
van Leeuwen
Miek A
MA
Sauer
Pieter J J
PJ
van Weert
Ellen
E
Bouma
Jelte
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome