Abstract
BackgroundOlder people with intellectual disabilities have very low physical activity levels. Well designed, theory-driven and evidence-based health promotion programmes for the target population are lacking. This paper describes the design of a cluster-randomised trial for a systematically developed health promotion programme aimed at improving physical activity and increasing fitness among seniors with intellectual disabilities.Methods and designThe Intervention Mapping protocol was used for programme development. After defining the programme’s objectives, the following behavioural techniques were selected to achieve them: Tailoring, Education, Modelling, Mirroring, Feedback, Reinforcement and Grading. With professionals and managers of provider services for people with intellectual disabilities, we translated these strategies into a structured day-activity programme, that consisted of a physical activity and an education programme. The programme will be executed in five day-activity centres in groups of eight to ten seniors during eight months, whereas seniors in five other centres receive care as usual. The physical activity level, as measured in number of steps a day, will be used as primary outcome measurement. Secondary outcome measurements include motor fitness, cardio respiratory fitness, morphological and metabolic fitness, ADL, functional deterioration and depressive symptoms. Differences in the primary and secondary outcome measures between participants and controls will be analysed using generalized estimation equations, correcting for day-activity center as cluster.DiscussionThis paper provides insight into the development and content of a theory-driven intervention aimed at behavioural change in a population with a low intellectual level. Its evaluation design is described. The programme’s applicability to other populations is discussed.Trial registrationTrial number: ISRCTN82341588
Highlights
Older people with intellectual disabilities have very low physical activity levels
This paper provides insight into the development and content of a theory-driven intervention aimed at behavioural change in a population with a low intellectual level
Physical activity, fitness and health indices will be compared between older adults with mild-moderate intellectual disabilities (ID) who are assigned to the HA-PAP and who will be given usual care
Summary
This study will evaluate the efficacy of the “Healthy Ageing- Physical Activity Programme (HA-PAP) for seniors with Intellectual Disabilities”. Day-activity centres’ staff members apply several work forms X safe and comfortable to consequences of behaviour and exercises in groups to provide information about perform PA activities in general performing PA safely and about normal bodily reactions to PA. The staff of the participating day-activity centres will receive a one-day training, developed by a professional trainer, about the education programme They receive information about why physical activity is important for their clients and about the goals and structure of the education programme. They will practice preparing and conducting the exercises and how to adapt exercises to the needs of their group. The outcomes at the end of the intervention for the control group and participation group will be compared, adjusted for outcome differences at baseline
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