Implementation of a school-based Fitbit program for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A feasibility study.
Adolescents
Autism
Fitness trackers
Health behaviors
School
Journal
Disability and health journal
ISSN: 1876-7583
Titre abrégé: Disabil Health J
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101306633
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
04 2021
04 2021
Historique:
received:
16
06
2020
revised:
05
08
2020
accepted:
02
09
2020
pubmed:
5
10
2020
medline:
25
8
2021
entrez:
4
10
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
School settings may be optimal for physical activity interventions for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, consumer-based fitness trackers may encourage youth with ASD to increase their physical activity levels, however, no studies have examined whether a fitness tracker program would be feasible in youth with ASD. To examine the feasibility of a 12-week school-based Fitbit© program for youth with ASD. Six classroom teachers and their students (n = 45) were provided with Fitbit fitness trackers to wear over 12-weeks. Classroom teachers monitored student tracker use and completed open-ended surveys to describe both their experience and their students' experience with the fitness trackers. Out of the 45 eligible students, 42 (94%) opted to participate in the study. All six teachers and 32 (76%) of the 42 students wore the fitness tracker daily over 12 weeks. Teachers reported that students were most interested in tracking their daily steps, and the short batter life, and account set-up were the biggest challenges to students. All six teachers felt that this program could have long-term sustainability, especially if tracker use could be incorporated into school curriculum and classroom activities. A school-based Fitbit program appears to be both feasible, and well-accepted by students with ASD. Future work should evaluate the preliminary efficacy of this type of program.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
School settings may be optimal for physical activity interventions for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, consumer-based fitness trackers may encourage youth with ASD to increase their physical activity levels, however, no studies have examined whether a fitness tracker program would be feasible in youth with ASD.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the feasibility of a 12-week school-based Fitbit© program for youth with ASD.
METHODS
Six classroom teachers and their students (n = 45) were provided with Fitbit fitness trackers to wear over 12-weeks. Classroom teachers monitored student tracker use and completed open-ended surveys to describe both their experience and their students' experience with the fitness trackers.
RESULTS
Out of the 45 eligible students, 42 (94%) opted to participate in the study. All six teachers and 32 (76%) of the 42 students wore the fitness tracker daily over 12 weeks. Teachers reported that students were most interested in tracking their daily steps, and the short batter life, and account set-up were the biggest challenges to students. All six teachers felt that this program could have long-term sustainability, especially if tracker use could be incorporated into school curriculum and classroom activities.
CONCLUSIONS
A school-based Fitbit program appears to be both feasible, and well-accepted by students with ASD. Future work should evaluate the preliminary efficacy of this type of program.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33011113
pii: S1936-6574(20)30122-9
doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.100990
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
100990Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.