10-Week Physical Activity Program for Mothers of Children With Developmental Disabilities

University of Wisconsin (UW)

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Caregiver Burden

Treatments: Behavioral: Physical Activity Program; Behavioral: Waitlist for Physical Activity Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07182071

Protocol Version 7/9/2025 (Other Identifier)

EDUC/KINESIOLOGY (Other Identifier)

2025-0981

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a 10-week supervised Physical Activity program for mothers of children with developmental disabilities. 30 participants will be enrolled: 15 into an Intervention group and 15 into a Waitlist Control group.

Full description

The specific aims of this study are:

• Aim 1: Determine the feasibility and acceptability of a 10-week supervised resistance training program for mothers of autistic children.
• Aim 2: Determine the potential health benefits of the 10-week physical activity program on psychological and physical health outcomes.

Enrollment: 19 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 25 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Be a mother of a child with a diagnosed developmental disability (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, intellectual disability) ages 4-11.
• Be able to engage in moderate-intensity exercise three times per week.
• Be able to walk independently for at least a quarter of a mile without assistance.
• Have reliable childcare arrangements during program sessions (please note: childcare will not be provided).
• Be available and willing to attend scheduled assessments and group sessions throughout the 10-week program.

Exclusion criteria

• Are currently pregnant.
• Have a physical disability or medical condition that prevents safe participation in physical activity.
• Are already engaged in physical activity programs more than twice per week.
• Have diagnosed mental health conditions that may interfere with consistent attendance or the ability to provide informed consent.
• Are unable to communicate effectively in English.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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19 participants in 2 patient groups

Physical Activity Program

Experimental group

Description:

This group will enroll in the 10-week program immediately.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Physical Activity Program

Waitlist Control

Active Comparator group

Description:

This group will enroll and then be offered the 10-week program next year.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Waitlist for Physical Activity Program