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'Walk Buds': A walking intervention to increase physical activity, physical fitness, and emotional wellbeing, in 9-13 year old children with intellectual disabilities. Results of a clustered randomised feasibility trial.

Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID
September 1, 2024
Peter Mullhall et al. (8 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to test the feasibility of a school-based walking intervention for children with intellectual disability.

Results Summary

The intervention was acceptable to staff and pupils, with an 84% uptake rate of walking sessions. Challenges included COVID-19 disruptions and accelerometer data collection difficulties.

Population

Children with intellectual disability aged 9-13 years.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

3 months

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (2)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
school-based walking intervention
no change
-
teaching staff and pupils
-
was found to be acceptable
#1
school-based walking intervention
neutral
walking sessions offered
-
84%
uptake rate
#2
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Children with intellectual disability are less physically active and more sedentary than typically developing peers. To date no studies have tested the feasibility of a school-based walking intervention for children with Intellectual Disability. METHOD: A clustered randomised controlled trial (cRCT), with an embedded process evaluation, was used to test the feasibility of a school-based walking intervention. Eight schools (n = 161 pupils aged 9-13 years) were randomised into either an intervention arm or an 'exercise as usual' arm. Measures included physical activity, physical fitness and emotional wellbeing. Baseline and 3-month follow-up data were collected. RESULTS: The 'Walk Buds' intervention was found to be acceptable to teaching staff and pupils, with an uptake rate of the walking sessions offered of 84%. CONCLUSION: A number of challenges were experienced, relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, and difficulties collecting accelerometer data. Barriers, facilitators and required changes identified through the mixed methods process evaluation are discussed.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansChildIntellectual DisabilityAdolescentMaleFeasibility StudiesFemaleWalkingPhysical FitnessExerciseCOVID-19School Health ServicesMental Health
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year2.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.70
Normalized Score0.66
Related Supplements
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