Abstract
BackgroundIntellectual disability (ID) is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. Adults with ID exhibit higher rates of obesity and poorer health status compared to the general population. Continuity of care and barriers to health-related activities may contribute to the poorer health status observed in this population. To address this problem, a tailored weight management online health information and communication technology platform, known as POWERSforID, was developed and is being tested to determine if this delivery mechanism can improve weight maintenance/weight loss in adults with ID.MethodsObese adults with mild-to-moderate ID (n = 70) are randomized to the POWERSforID intervention or control group for a 24-week trial. Each group undergoes an assessment that includes body weight, waist circumference, and percent body fat at baseline and at weeks 6, 12, and 24. Physical activity barriers, healthy eating barriers, food frequency, and psychosocial wellbeing are measured at baseline and at weeks 12 and 24. Blood lipids are assessed at baseline and 24 weeks. Participants randomized to POWERSforID receive access to the POWERSforID website and calls from a health coach (weekly during weeks 1–12, biweekly during weeks 13–24). The health coach employs motivational interviewing techniques adapted for individuals with ID to promote behavior change. Participants randomized to the control group receive standard clinical weight-loss care. Differences in weight, waist circumference, blood lipids, percent body fat, and psychosocial self-report will be assessed. Barriers and facilitators of implementation as well as perception of study outcomes will be conducted via qualitative analysis.DiscussionPOWERSforID is a novel information and communication technology platform designed to address health needs for adults with ID. This article describes the development and components of POWERSforID. The overall aim is to assess usability and feasibility of POWERSforID for promoting weight loss for obese adults with ID over the course of a 24-week randomized control trial.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov, NCT03139760. Registered on XXX
Highlights
Intellectual disability (ID) is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior
Three questions are used: (1) What barriers and facilitators were associated with implementing the recommendations? (2) What strategies were and were not effective in changing behavior? and (3) What additions would you recommend for the POWERSforID intervention?
The POWERSforID intervention aims to adapt and assess a novel telehealth interface that has been proven effective for other populations with disabilities
Summary
Intellectual disability (ID) is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. Continuity of care and barriers to health-related activities may contribute to the poorer health status observed in this population. To address this problem, a tailored weight management online health information and communication technology platform, known as POWERSforID, was developed and is being tested to determine if this delivery mechanism can improve weight maintenance/weight loss in adults with ID. Individuals with ID are more likely to be overweight or obese, have poorer health status, and limited access to health promotion programs compared to the general population [2,3,4,5,6,7]. Current approaches to creating healthier lifestyles (i.e. improved nutrition and increased physical activity) for adults with ID can be extremely challenging because of many different barriers including financial constraints to join a fitness facility, transportation issues, limited choices, and the need for greater involvement and support from caregivers [11,12,13,14,15]
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