Protocol for a randomized feasibility trial of a 10-week supervised physical activity program for mothers of children with developmental disabilities

Mothers of children with developmental disabilities (DD) often experience caregiving demands that limit opportunities for regular physical activity and self-care. Although physical activity can improve physical and psychological well-being, few programs have been designed to address the specific constraints faced by this population. The purpose of this randomized feasibility trial is twofold: (1) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a 10-week supervised physical activity program for mothers of children with DD and (2) to explore preliminary patterns in physical and psychological outcomes to inform the design of a future fully powered randomized trial. This two-arm randomized feasibility trial will enroll 30 mothers who will be assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group or a waitlist control group. The intervention will include three supervised in-person group exercise sessions per week delivered in a university-based setting over 10 weeks. Primary outcomes will be feasibility and acceptability. Feasibility will be assessed through recruitment, attendance, retention, and completion of study assessments. Acceptability will be examined through brief participant surveys and semi-structured interviews. Intervention fidelity will be monitored through coach training procedures and structured session fidelity checklists. Exploratory outcomes will include physical health, psychological well-being, and self-reported physical activity assessed at baseline, week 5, and week 10. This study will provide information about whether a supervised physical activity program for mothers of children with DD can be delivered as intended and whether the study procedures and the waitlist randomized design are practical and acceptable. Findings will inform refinement of the intervention and progression to a future randomized trial.