Monitoring Physical Activity in Hispanic Women With Chronic Neurological Disorders

Participants will be provided a Fitbit Alta HR and wall charger. Each participant will be assigned a unique ID# at baseline and used to set-up the data acquisition. The Fitbit app will be set up on their smartphone to allow self-monitoring of activity. The Fitbit device includes both an accelerometer and heart rate monitor, capable of continuous measuring and storing data up to 5 days. Fitbit data will be passively downloaded through smartphone connection to Fitabase, a research friendly application and data management program. The Fitbit will be worn on the wrist every day during the course of the 16-week study, with instructions on self- monitoring, usage and maintenance. Participants will be monitored for Fitbit compliance by weekly phone calls; and monitoring of passively downloaded Fitbit data through Fitabase. Follow-up phone call at 3-months post-study will assess continued use of the Fitbit activity monitor.

Participants will receive individualized goal setting and a guide to increase exercise at baseline and at week four visit. The Occupational therapist (OT) will administer a well published approach for promoting PA called Lifestyle Redesign which addresses physical, psychosocial and environmental barriers to health and incorporate self-care strategies and goal setting. Coaching will be administered by a bilingual OT and in Spanish. Based on studies examining PA and brain health, the OT will guide the participant through a goal setting process for moderate to vigorous intensity of physical activity including a specific guide plan to achieve these goals of 10,000 steps per day and/or 150 minutes/week of moderate to vigorous activity. Participants will also receive weekly calls from the study coordinator (overseen by OT) to review PA and goal setting for each week over the course of the 16-week study.