In-Clinic Activity Promotion for Children With Congenital Heart Disease: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: An effective in-clinic physical activity counseling intervention is needed to increase physical activity motivation and participation among children with moderate or severe congenital heart disease and enable clinicians to comply with activity promotion recommendations. Methods: This pragmatic, single-blind multicenter randomized clinical trial evaluated the intervention feasibility/efficacy among children aged 5-17 years. Clinicians delivered key messages, encouraged activity questions and discussion, and provided kinesiologist support. The primary outcome was daily activity (PiezoRx pedometer steps), assessed after the clinic visit and then monthly for 6 months. Clinic visit length, % counseled, patient/family perceptions, and kinesiology referral assessed health care system impacts. Results: A total of 155 children (60 female, 10.8 ± 3.6 years of age) with moderate (n = 119) or severe (n = 36) diagnoses were included in this study. Initial daily step counts, adjusted for age, did not differ between the groups (mean difference = 776 ± 515 steps per day, Conclusions: Over 6 months, participants receiving a brief, standardized in-clinic activity counseling intervention with on-going kinesiology support were more likely to achieve the recommended daily physical activity. Counseling was feasible for clinicians to deliver during a routine clinic visit enabling compliance with recommended practice. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03435354.