Children and Teens in Charge of Their Health (CATCH): A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial of Solution-Focused Coaching to Foster Healthy Lifestyles in Children with Spina Bifida or Cerebral Palsy.

Publication date: Sep 17, 2025

This feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated “Children and Teens in Charge of Their Health” (CATCH), a solution-focused coaching intervention promoting physical activity and healthy eating in children with spina bifida or cerebral palsy. All participants received standard care and printed materials; the intervention group also received up to eight coaching sessions over six months. Quantitative analyses examined whether a priori feasibility criteria were met and the responsiveness of measures assessing goal attainment, functional mobility, dietary intake and physical activity at four timepoints over 12 months. Nineteen participants were randomized. While stratification and fidelity criteria were met, recruitment and retention were not, likely impacted by Covid-19. CATCH participants showed significant improvements in two of three goal attainment scores, along with positive trends in functional mobility, active hours, and some dietary measures compared to controls. Most outcome measures were responsive, although protocol adaptations are needed for a full-scale RCT.

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