Physical Activity Self-Management and Coaching Compared to Social Interaction in Huntington Disease: Results From the ENGAGE-HD Randomized, Controlled Pilot Feasibility Trial.

This was a pilot feasibility trial with 46 randomized participants, so it cannot confirm treatment effects. Recruitment reached 74% of the planned target, and only 2 sites recruited to time and target. Many exclusions were based on the recruiting clinician's impression that a physical or psychiatric condition would prevent completion. The outcome battery was large and may have been burdensome for sites and participants. Self-report measures such as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire may have introduced bias. Participants had to be able to walk with minimal assistance, so results may not apply to people with more advanced mobility problems. The study did not assess carer impact.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest. Funding was provided by Health and Care Research Wales. Dr Dawes was supported by the Elizabeth Casson Trust and the National Institute for Social and Health Care Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre. A Rosser is a member of the board of the European Huntington's Disease Network. The funders had no involvement in the conduct of the trial.

Do not conclude that physical activity coaching improves Huntington disease symptoms. This was a pilot feasibility trial with 46 randomized participants and exploratory outcomes, so the reported differences need future confirmatory trials.