ActiOn PACT UK (ActivOnline: Physical Activity in Cystic Fibrosis)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ActivOnline, a physical activity intervention delivered online, was effective at increasing physical activity in adolescents and adults (ages 12 – 35) with CF. 

This study was forced to pause following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The trial plan was modified to include online recruitment and remote assessment of outcome measures, instead of doing everything in hospital like most trials. The investigators made repeated attempts to bolster recruitment, including using the Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s Trials Tracker, social media campaigns, and communication with clinicians and academics.

However, despite these changes, the trial failed to recruit participants (zero total enrolment) and was terminated in September 2021. The study leads thought that the lack of enrolment in the trial was due to the trial coinciding with the licensing of modulators, like Kaftrio, in the summer of 2020 and the pandemic leading to an increase in online exercise activity.

The funders approved a subsequent online survey that examined the effects of the pandemic on physical activity among adolescents and adults with CF. This survey received 156 responses from the CF community and the data showed that 37% of respondents thought that exercise was more important after the pandemic (compared to beforehand) and 13% considered it to be less important.