WE PLAY for Parents for Physical Activity in Children with Autism
This study is testing an online program called "Wellness Enhancing Physical Activity for Young Children: Parent Version" (WE PLAY for Parents). This program aims to help parents and caregivers of young children with autism learn how to encourage more physical activity. Researchers want to see if WE PLAY for Parents can improve your confidence, knowledge, and skills in promoting active play. You can join if you are a parent or caregiver, at least 18 years old, and have a child with autism between 2 years 11 months and 5 years 11 months old. You also need to be able to read and write in English. The study will compare participants using WE PLAY for Parents to a group that waits to use the program. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and plans to enroll 114 participants.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study where participants will be randomly assigned to either receive the WE PLAY for Parents program immediately or be in a waitlist control group. The study aims to enroll 114 participants.
- What's involved
- You will complete surveys at the start of the study, after two weeks, and again after three months. If you are in the waitlist group, you will get access to the program after the three-month survey.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Participants will be followed for three months after the initial training.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
An Empowering Parent Training Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Preschool Aged Children With Autism
At a glance
Conditions
NCT07421830
Where you'd take part
This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusettsstudy coordinator listed
Recruiting
Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.
Study leadership
- Jessica Hoffman, PhD, NCSP · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Northeastern University
Who to contact
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Inclusion
Exclusion
What this trial measures
- Change from Pre-Training in Parental Confidence in Promoting Physical Activity for their Children on the Preschool Parent Confidence Questionnaire (PPCQ) at Week 2Pre-training (Week 0), Post-training (Week 2)
The PPCQ is a 17-item, self-report instrument measuring parental confidence in promoting physical activity for their children (Coleman, 2010). The 17 items are rated 0 (not confident)-10 (totally confident), yielding a total score (0-170) with higher scores indicating higher parental self-efficacy. The PPCQ demonstrates strong reliability (α = 0.92-0.94).
- Change from Pre-Training in Parental Physical Activity Knowledge at Week 2Pre-training (Week 0), Post-training (Week 2)
The physical activity knowledge test measures parental knowledge of physical activity promotion among young children with autism. The measure contains 10 multiple-choice items that were developed based on content from the WE PLAY for Parents online intervention. Scores range from 0-10 with higher scores indicating stronger knowledge.
- Change from Pre-Training in Parental Behavioral Intention and Perceived Behavioral Control on the Adapted Early Childhood Educator Movement Behavioral Intention and Perceived Control Questionnaire (ECE-MBIPC) at Week 2Pre-training (Week 0), Post-training (Week 2)
An adapted version of the validated ECE-MBIPC assesses behavior intentions and perceived behavior control over five physical activity-related behaviors. The 10 items are rated using a 7-point, Likert-type scale, and generate composite scores for behavioral intention (5 items) and perceived control (5 items), with higher scores indicating greater likelihood of engagement. Composite scores range from 0-35 for behavioral intention and perceived control. The ECE-MBIPC questionnaire shows high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha \> 0.85 across subscales) (Bruijns et al., 2023).
- Change from Pre-Training in Parental Physical Activity Promotion Practices on the Preschooler Physical Activity Parenting Practices (PPAPP) at Week 14Pre-training (week 0), 3-month Follow-Up (week 14).
The Engagement subscale of the PPAPP measures parental encouragement of physical activity. This subscale includes 15 items that are rated using a 5-point scale. Scores range from 0-75 and higher scores indicate more frequent PA-promoting practices. Cronbach's α values= 0.87-0.92 (O'Connor et al., 2014).