Relationship between Barthel index with physical tests in adults with intellectual disabilities

Antonio I Cuesta-Vargas,David Pérez-Cruzado

doi:10.1186/2193-1801-3-543

Abstract

We usually find low levels of fitness condition affect other aspects of living for people with ID like dependency in carrying out activivities of daily living. Therefore we find high levels of dependency in activities of daily living due to poor fitness condition. The aim of the study is to explore the criterion validity of the Barthel index with a physical fitness test. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted. Data from the Barthel index and a physical fitness test were measured in 122 adults with intellectual disability. The data were analysed to find out the relationship between four categories of the physical fitness test and the Barthel index. It needs to be stressed that the correlations between the Barthel index and leg, abdominal and arm strength can confirm that these physical test are predictive of the Barthel index. The correlations between the balance variables as functional reach and single-leg stance with eyes open shown relationships with Barthel Index. We found important correlations between the physical fitness test and the Barthel index, so we can affirm that some physical fitness features are predictor variables of the Barthel index.

Highlights

There are studies that affirm that people with intellectual disability (ID) can’t do enough physical activity (PA) to obtain a beneficial effect for their health (Carmeli et al 2002; Cuesta-Vargas et al 2011; van Schijndel-Speet et al 2014) because they found a lot of barriers to do physical activity (Bodde and Seo 2009; Mahy et al 2010), so we know there is a lower physical fitness level in this population compared to the general population (Temple et al 2006)
People with ID do not do enough physical activity so we find a reduction of their aerobic condition and neuromuscular profile (Wu et al 2010)
Outcome measures To measure physical condition we reviewed the Fun-fitness programme test, Special Olympics (PFT); with this programme we could learn about the physical condition of the patients and help them with suggestions on how to improve their physical condition and to avoid injuries

Summary

Introduction

There are studies that affirm that people with intellectual disability (ID) can’t do enough physical activity (PA) to obtain a beneficial effect for their health (Carmeli et al 2002; Cuesta-Vargas et al 2011; van Schijndel-Speet et al 2014) because they found a lot of barriers to do physical activity (lack of social support and lack of clear policies for engaging in regular activity) (Bodde and Seo 2009; Mahy et al 2010), so we know there is a lower physical fitness level in this population compared to the general population (Temple et al 2006). People with ID do not do enough physical activity so we find a reduction of their aerobic condition and neuromuscular profile (Wu et al 2010). We usually find low levels of fitness condition affect other aspects of living for people with ID, like exercising self-efficacy, and life satisfaction (Heller and Sorensen 2013), and includes dependency in carrying out activities of daily living (ADL). We find high levels of dependency in ADL due to poor fitness condition (Maring et al 2013). Independency is the basic capacity of persons to care for themselves and to set common daily activities with higher levels of performance (Lin et al 2013)

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Discussion

Conclusion