{
  "abstract": "Introduction Research has indicated an increased prevalence of obesity in narcoleptics and linked this comorbidity with worse disease control. Consequently, thoughts regarding the benefit of physical activity in this population have developed and research has suggested it may reduce symptom severity. This two-part research study aimed to answer the question: is there a relationship between physical activity and aerobic fitness, and symptom severity in paediatric narcolepsy?Methods We first conducted a cross-sectional study assessing the relationship between physical activity, measured using a physical activity questionnaire and retrospective actigraphy studies; and symptom severity, measured using three narcolepsy severity questionnaires. We used SPSS to calculate Spearman’s rank correlation and simple linear regression.We then conducted a pilot study of six patients to assess the feasibility of using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and prospective actigraphy to address the research question. The results were combined with details of narcolepsy control and medication use and considered across the sample to identify any themes.Results We obtained a sample of 16 for our cross-sectional study. The results showed no significant relationship between either of the physical activity measures and narcolepsy severity questionnaires, as all statistical tests were non-significant. The pilot study demonstrated that CPETs and actigraphy were suitable methods to address the research question, and that narcolepsy was not a barrier. No initial themes were identified in the relationship between these results and narcolepsy severity.Discussion Our results did not provide evidence to support the link between physical activity and narcolepsy severity that was hypothesised. We were limited by our small sample and lack of confounding factors, so additional research should explore this relationship, potentially using CPETs and actigraphy. Despite our results showing no direct benefit to narcolepsy, physical activity should still be recommended in this population due to its multitude of documented health benefits.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Ismay Hathaway"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Heather Elphick"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Lowri Thomas"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Kelechi Ugonna"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P21 An exploratory study investigating the relationship between physical activity and aerobic fitness, and symptom severity in paediatric narcolepsy",
  "uid": "5595458d-0185-5309-b0c1-402acf1829e0"
}