AUTHOR=Chen Jen Jen , Cooper Dan M. , Haddad Fadia , Sladkey Anna , Nussbaum Eliezer , Radom-Aizik Shlomit 

TITLE=Tele-Exercise as a Promising Tool to Promote Exercise in Children With Cystic Fibrosis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2018

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00269

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2018.00269

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Cross-infection risk from contact exposure limits exercise opportunities in children with cystic fibrosis (CF).  The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of a new live-streamed platform which delivered supervised and interactive group exercise to CF children via digital devices while avoiding contact exposure.

Methods:  Ten CF children participated in a six-week tele-exercise program. The program consisted of three 30-minute sessions per week for a total of 18 sessions and included aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercises.  Sessions were streamed via a HIPAA compliant VSee telemedicine platform. Instructors and participants were able to interact in real-time online. Heart rate (HR) monitors were used to evaluate exercise intensity with a goal of moderate-vigorous physical activity ≥10 minutes, 70% of the sessions. System usability scale (SUS) and qualitative questionnaires were used to gauge participants’ satisfaction and feedback.

Results:  On average participants attended 85% of the sessions.  For the overall sessions participants exercise 21.1± 6.9 minutes at moderate-vigorous physical activity.  9 out of 10 participants used the exercise platform without parental guidance.  Qualitative questionnaire and System Usability Scale (SUS) indicated that all participants enjoyed the tele-exercise program and highly rated the exercise platform 90.8 out of 100 (passing > 68).

Conclusions:  Tele-exercise platform is a promising new approach to promote exercise in children with CF.  The online platform allows supervised virtual group exercise experience with optimal participation and no risk for cross-infection.  This approach might prove to be useful in enhancing the use of exercise as therapy in children with CF.