Family-centred E-health in Pediatric Weight Management: A Pilot Study
Condition: Pediatric Obesity
MeSH terms: Pediatric Obesity
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This is a pilot study to examine the feasibility of implementing an objective physical
      activity and sleep monitoring tool into a pediatric weight management program in conjunction
      with a personal health record (PHR) for children and their families. This feasibility study
      is intended to provide proof of concept in the incorporation of monitoring devices within the
      PHR for pediatric patients and their families. Additionally, the investigators will examine
      whether the PHR helps to empower pediatric patients, their families and the health care team
      to more effectively monitor the patient's behavior change. Participants will be randomized to
      receive, or not receive, augmented communication with the health care team between clinical
      in person visits.
    

Detailed description: 
      Lifestyle behaviour changes represent the foundation of pediatric weight management and are
      usually promoted through individual and/or group-based counseling to encourage the adoption
      and maintenance of health lifestyle behaviours including nutritional intake, sleep and
      physical activity. Consensus on the need for comprehensive, behavioural interventions exists,
      but the nature of these interventions vary considerably. The intensity of the intervention
      (i.e. number of contact hours) may be a key determinant of efficacy, but little detail on the
      characteristic of these contact hours for optimal delivery is currently available.

      In this proof of concept study, we will evaluate the enhancement of behavioural change
      strategies utilizing technology that provides direct feedback on behaviour change. These
      devices will be incorporated into a PHR and supplemented with a related e-learning module.

      This study will examine the feasibility and perceived usefulness of incorporation of a
      personal electronic device to encourage behaviour change in children and youth enrolled in a
      weight management program. We intend to incorporate this device within an established PHR and
      supplement with evidence-based e-learning.

      This is a prospective, randomized pilot study of children and youth (ages 5-17 years)
      enrolled in a multidisciplinary pediatric weight management program (at McMaster Children's
      Hospital) for 4 months. This pilot study will include 10 children/youth and parent dyads from
      each of 3 age groups: 5-9 years, 10-13 years and 14-17 years. All families will utilize a
      personal electronic device that they can utilize with the individualized PHR. Participants
      will be randomized to receive, or not receive, regular communication with and access to the
      clinical team outside of their routine clinical visits, this will occur through a secure
      portal in the PHR.
    

Intervention name(s): Communication through PHR outside clinic; Monitoring device in PHR; Physical activity and sleep monitor; PHR
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Device; Other
Intervention description(s): Access to their PHR
Other intervention name(s): Communication with clinic staff through PHR
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: pediatric obesity; e-learning; personal health record; personal electronic device; pilot