MOvement behaviours and health indicators in children with a chronic MEdical condition or disability: an iNTernational mUlticentre prograM (MOMENTUM)

It is important for all kids to get good sleep, have more time for physical activity, and to spend less time sitting and watching television (so called movement behaviours) – doing so can make their hearts and brains healthier and make them happier. Following these suggestions might seem easy for the typically developing kid, but we do not know much about the movement behaviours of children with a long-term medical condition or disability. We do know that these kids do less physical activity, spend more time sitting, and do not get as much sleep as other kids, and their health might be at risk. We are putting together a team of scientists from around the world to find out what movement behaviours and health look like in kids with a medical condition or disability.

Goals of this study:

The purpose of this project is to conduct a pilot study on our novel health survey to determine its usability and practicality from the perspectives of children with a chronic medical condition or disability and their parent/guardian. A pilot study is a way to learn more about a topic and improve how we design our research studies. Our goal is to take the results of this pilot study so we can use the survey in future studies.

What does this study involve?

The survey includes questions about things like physical activity, screen time, sleep, and general health status. We ask that surveys be completed by a child with a chronic medical condition or disability, and by a parent/guardian – there are two surveys for the parent/guardian and a different two surveys for the child. We will also ask for your thoughts on the survey itself and about things like how long it took you to complete the survey.

The child may also be asked to wear a small, non-invasive activity monitor (called an accelerometer) around their waist for 7 days before completing the first survey. This monitor measures how much time the child spends moving, sitting and sleeping in their everyday life. It does not record video or audio, and it does not have GPS capabilities.

If you agree to participate, we will send you a link to complete the survey online.

Who is eligible to participate?

Any child with a chronic medical condition or disability and who is 12 to 17 years old can participate, along with a parent/guardian. Currently the survey is in English, but we are planning to have it available in French, Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic and Somali, in the near future.

If I am interested, who do I contact?

Interested individuals can contact Leili Hadayeghi at momentum@mcmaster.ca

The MOMENTUM study is funded by the Canada Research Chairs Program of Canada