Physical Activity With Tailored E-health Support for Individuals With Intellectual Disability (PA-IDe Study): a Randomised Controlled Trial

Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) have lower levels of physical activity and greater barriers for participation in fitness activities, compared to the general population. As increased physical activity has positive effects on cardiovascular and psychosocial health, identifying effective interventions for use in everyday settings is exceedingly important. E-health like motion sensor games (exergames) and smartphone reminders for physical activity have been explored and found to be promising in people with ID.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of an individually tailored PA programme with motivational mobile e-health support on everyday level of PA in youths and adults with ID.

The PA-IDE trial uses a prospective randomized controlled design. In total, 60 participants with a sedentary lifestyle or low physical activity level will be included, aging from 16-60 years old. The intervention consists of a tailored e-health support intervention, using smartphones or tablets to create structure and predictability of physical activities. The intervention emphasizes the communicative abilities of individual participants and use rewards and give feedback of progress to motivate individuals to increase participation in physical activity. Participants will be allocated to groups consisting of 30 participants who receive either the e-health intervention or standard care (control). All participants will be assessed at baseline, 3-, and 6 months. Participants in the intervention group, close relatives or care staff will be invited to participate in a goal-setting meeting about physical activity in the intervention period, where the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) will be used. Primary outcome will be physical activity level measured as steps per day with commercial wrist-worn accelerometers. Secondary outcome measures include minutes of moderate activity, energy expenditure, social support for physical activity, self-efficacy in a PA setting, behaviour problems, and goal attainment.

The investigators expect that the new intervention will perform better than standard care in terms of improved physical activity, mastery, and social support for activities. Technology offers new opportunities to influence healthy behaviours. The trial results will determine the effectiveness and sustainability of a tailored e-health support intervention to increase physical activity among youths and adults with ID.