Children, parents and pets exercising together (CPET): exploratory randomised controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundLevels of physical activity (PA) in UK children are much lower than recommended and novel approaches to its promotion are needed. The Children, Parents and Pets Exercising Together (CPET) study is the first exploratory randomised controlled trial (RCT) to develop and evaluate an intervention aimed at dog-based PA promotion in families. CPET aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability and potential efficacy of a theory-driven, family-based, dog walking intervention for 9–11 year olds.MethodsTwenty-eight families were allocated randomly to either receive a 10-week dog based PA intervention or to a control group. Families in the intervention group were motivated and supported to increase the frequency, intensity and duration of dog walking using a number of behaviour change techniques. Parents in the intervention group were asked to complete a short study exit questionnaire. In addition, focus groups with parents and children in the intervention group, and with key stakeholders were undertaken. The primary outcome measure was 10 week change in total volume of PA using the mean accelerometer count per minute (cpm). Intervention and control groups were compared using analysis of covariance. Analysis was performed on an intention to treat basis.ResultsTwenty five families were retained at follow up (89%) and 97% of all outcome data were collected at baseline and follow up. Thirteen of 14 (93%) intervention group parents available at follow up completed the study exit questionnaire and noted that study outcome measures were acceptable. There was a mean difference in child total volume of PA of 27 cpm (95% CI -70, 123) and -3 cpm (95% CI -60, 54) for intervention and control group children, respectively. This was not statistically significant. Approximately 21% of dog walking time for parents and 39% of dog walking time for children was moderate-vigorous PA.ConclusionsThe acceptability of the CPET intervention and outcome measures was high. Using pet dogs as the agent of lifestyle change in PA interventions in children and their parents is both feasible and acceptable, but did not result in a significant increase in child PA in this exploratory trial.Trial registrationISRCTN85939423

Interventions with potential to reduce sedentary time in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Three studies employed an intervention specifically to reduce SB,40 44 63 16 studies aimed at increasing PA levels,30 35 36 39 41 46 48 49 55 58–60 64 66 72 78 nine studies combined both approaches of reducing SB and increasing PA levels,32 43 53 62 65 68 70 76 77 one study assessed the effect of a dietary intervention on SB,61 and 22 studies (20 reports) applied a multicomponent lifestyle intervention and observed effects on sedentary behaviour (among other outcomes) 29 33 34 37 38 42 45 47 50–52 54 56 57 67 69 71 73 74 75. Twenty studies offered an alternative intervention,30 36 39–41 45 46 49 52–55 59 61–63 68 72 77 10 studies the usual/routine care,29 37 38 42 50 51 67 71 74 75 seven studies used a waiting list control,29 34 48 64 69 76 78 five studies an attention control,35 44 56 57 60 and control participants of seven studies received no intervention at all 32 33 43 47 58 66 …”

“…Control conditions were attention control60 and an alternative exercise treatment 39. Twenty-four studies suggested no evidence of a group difference in SB: 10 lifestyle interventions,29 45 50 52 56 57 67 71 73 75 seven PA interventions,35 36 49 55 58 66 72 six PA/SB interventions,53 62 65 70 76 77 and one SB intervention 44. Four studies—two lifestyle,47 69 one PA/SBs,43 one dietary intervention61—did not conclude on SB outcomes despite assessing SB.…”

Evaluation of the Dogs, Physical Activity, and Walking (Dogs PAW) Intervention

“…Besides the current study, six dog walking intervention studies have been published to date (Byers et al, 2014;Johnson & Meadows, 2010;Kushner, Blatner, Jewell, & Rudloff, 2006;Morrison et al, 2013;Rhodes, Murray, Temple, Tuokko, & Higgins, 2012;Schneider et al, 2015). Four of these interventions were randomized controlled trials (RCT; Byers et al, 2014;Morrison et al, 2013;Rhodes et al, 2012;Schneider et al, 2015), and only one was based on a health behavior theory, specifically, social cognitive theory (SCT; Morrison et al, 2013).…”

“…Four of these interventions were randomized controlled trials (RCT; Byers et al, 2014;Morrison et al, 2013;Rhodes et al, 2012;Schneider et al, 2015), and only one was based on a health behavior theory, specifically, social cognitive theory (SCT; Morrison et al, 2013). Only three of the interventions had any type of follow-up postintervention, and this follow-up was limited to 3 months or less (Byers et al, 2014;Morrison et al, 2013;Rhodes et al, 2012).…”

Association of dog ownership and dog walking with human physical activity

“…Furthermore, a randomized controlled trial involving an intervention program encouraging parents to go dog walking along with their children (Children, Parents, and Pets Exercising Together: CPET) 34) was conducted in the United Kingdom (UK). The main objective was to increase the physical activity level of children.…”