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Findings from a pilot study are presented exploring therapeutic alliance between adolescent juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients and a trained nonprofessional health coach during the feasibility testing of a 12-week self-management program delivered online with brief telephone support. Therapeutic alliance was measured using the Working Alliance Inventory Client Scale (WAI-C), and qualitative information about the experience was gathered using the Distance Experience Questionnaire. WAI-C scores were found to be comparable to previously published pediatric face-to-face data and pediatric distance treatment data. Therapeutic alliance scores were also found to be correlated with improved treatment outcomes (decreased reported pain).

As a group, children with a chronic disease or disability are less active than their healthy peers. There are many reasons for suboptimal physical activity, including biological, psychological, and social factors. Furthermore, the lack of specific guidelines for 'safe' physical activity participation poses a barrier to increasing activity. Physical activity provides significant general health benefits and may improve disease outcomes. Each child with a chronic illness should be evaluated by an experienced physician for activity counselling and for identifying any contraindications to participation. The present statement reviews the benefits and risks of participation in sport and exercise for children with juvenile arthritis, hemophilia, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Guidelines for participation are included.