Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of the MADE4Life Program: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Exercise Science
• Family Health

Background:

• Community-based physical activity (PA) interventions are crucial for public health.
• Targeting mothers and daughters together offers a unique approach to promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Assessing the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of such interventions is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the "Mothers And Daughters Exercising for Life" (MADE4Life) program.
• To assess the impact of a community-based PA intervention on mothers and daughters' health behaviors.
• To provide data for future, fully powered trials.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 48 primary school-aged girls and 40 mothers.
• Intervention group (MADE4Life) received an 8-week program with separate education and joint PA sessions.
• Wait-list control group was used for comparison; intention-to-treat analysis was employed.

Main Results:

• High recruitment, retention, acceptability, and satisfaction were observed.
• No significant improvements in daughters' moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or other secondary outcomes.
• Significant improvements in mothers' vigorous physical activity (VPA) and role modeling behaviors were noted.

Conclusions:

• The MADE4Life program demonstrated feasibility and acceptability.
• While daughters' PA did not significantly improve, mothers showed positive changes in VPA and role modeling.
• Results support the need for future, adequately powered trials investigating mother-daughter PA interventions.