Promoting Physical Activity Through Telehealth, Peer Support, and Wearables: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Among Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Despite strong evidence in favor of physical activity (PA), adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not meeting established PA guidelines to engage in at least 150 min of moderate to vigorous PA per week. Barriers to daily PA engagement include limited access to health services, transportation, and reduced self-determined motivation. Telehealth provides a potential alternative to deliver PA programming in a more accessible platform for adults with ASD. This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessed the preliminary efficacy of a 10-week PA intervention program called Physical Activity Connections via Telehealth (PACT) that utilized telehealth and remote technology, including Fitbit wearable device use, peer-guidance, and individualized home exercise program among adults with ASD. Primary health outcomes, collected at baseline before randomization and post-intervention, included self-determined motivation assessment via Behavioral Exercise Regulation Scale (BREQ-2), self-report PA via Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSLT-PAQ), steps per day PA via Fitbit device, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR). A total of 18 adults, 11 males, with a mean age of 26.4 years, with a primary diagnosis of ASD participated in the study. Although there were no changes in BMI or WtHR at post-intervention, participants receiving PACT, significantly increased both their self-report PA scores (GSLT-PAQ) from 26 to 68, (p = 0.002), and steps per day from 5,828 to 7,443, (p = 0.015) with a moderate effect size (d = 0.72). The results of this pilot study support peer supported telehealth-based PA intervention for adults with ASD to increase PA.