Embedding sustainable physical activities into the everyday lives of adults with intellectual disabilities: a randomised controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effectiveness and sustainability of lifestyle physical activity (light-moderate intensity) and structured exercise (moderate-vigorous intensity) approaches for increasing physical activity in adults with intellectual disability (ID).
Results Summary
The study compared short-term (3-month) and long-term (9-month) outcomes of two physical activity interventions against a usual-care control group, measuring aerobic fitness, energy expenditure, and everyday physical activity, among other secondary outcomes. Results will determine which approach is more effective and sustainable for increasing physical activity in adults with ID.
Population
Adults with intellectual disability (ID) aged 18-55.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (interventions involved lifestyle physical activity or structured exercise, but exact dosages/frequencies not detailed).
Duration
12-week intervention followed by 6-month continuation.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
lifestyle physical activity (light-moderate intensity) approach | increase | physical activity | adults with intellectual disability (ID) | - | increasing | #1 |
structured exercise (moderate-vigorous intensity) approach | increase | physical activity | adults with intellectual disability (ID) | - | increasing | #2 |
lifestyle physical activity group | neutral | short-term (3-month) and long-term (9-month) outcomes and sustainability | adults with ID | - | will compare | #3 |
structured exercise group | neutral | short-term (3-month) and long-term (9-month) outcomes and sustainability | adults with ID | - | will compare | #4 |
usual care control group | neutral | short-term (3-month) and long-term (9-month) outcomes and sustainability | adults with ID | - | will compare | #5 |
12-week intervention delivered by exercise specialists in the community with disability service staff | neutral | - | participants in both groups | - | will receive | #6 |
intervention will continue for 6 months, delivered by disability service staff only | neutral | - | participants in both groups | - | will continue | #7 |
lifestyle physical activity approach | increase | increasing physical activity and exercise | adults with ID | - | will determine the effectiveness and sustainability | #8 |
structured exercise approach | increase | increasing physical activity and exercise | adults with ID | - | will determine the effectiveness and sustainability | #9 |
BACKGROUND: Adults with intellectual disability (ID) are physically very inactive. This study will compare two approaches to increasing physical activity in adults with ID: a lifestyle physical activity (light-moderate intensity) approach and a structured exercise (moderate-vigorous intensity) approach. The trial will compare the short-term (3-month) and long-term (9-month) outcomes and sustainability of each approach with a usual-care control group. METHODS/DESIGN: A three-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted. Ninety adults with ID aged 18-55 will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) a lifestyle physical activity group (n = 30), 2) a structured exercise group (n = 30), or 3) a usual care control group (n = 30). Participants in both groups will receive a 12-week intervention delivered by exercise specialists in the community with disability service staff, after which intervention will continue for 6 months, delivered by disability service staff only. Primary outcomes are aerobic fitness, 12-hour energy expenditure, and proxy-reported everyday physical activity. Secondary outcomes include objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary behaviour, intervention compliance, functional walking capacity, participation in domestic activities, muscle strength, body composition, psychosocial outcomes, quality of life and health care costs. DISCUSSION: The trial results will determine the effectiveness and sustainability of two approaches to increasing physical activity and exercise among adults with ID. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN77889248 (18 April 2012).