Use Of Smartphones To Self-report Eating And Exercise In Young Adults With Intellectual Developmental Disability

Abstract

Internet applications (apps) have been shown to motivate people to form and maintain healthy dietary (D) and exercise (Ex) habits. However, research on the effectiveness of using apps by persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) is limited. PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of a smartphone app (Ap) compared to app plus text reminders (Ap+T) for tracking D and Ex behavior in persons with IDD in an independent setting without caregiver support. METHODS: Young adults (n=5, 19-26 yrs) who were enrolled in a college experience program consented to participate in the study which had been approved by the university’s IRB. Participants were living on campus and had their own smartphones. Baseline conditions were determined as participants used paper and pencil to self-record D and Ex for at least 5 days. In a single-case design, participants served as their own controls and were randomly assigned to alternating treatments of Ap or Ap+T conditions. The Ap (Kurbo Health Inc.) allowed tracking of food items and portions as well as exercise tracking in 10-minute segments. The Ap+T condition added 4 times/d text message reminders about recording D and Ex. Treatment conditions changed every 1-2 days in random order over the course of 3 weeks. Data analysis included evaluation of mean level increases and percentages of nonoverlapping data (PND) between conditions. RESULTS: Participants demonstrated mean level increases from baseline to Ap (range: 15-66%) and baseline to Ap+T (range: 23-72%). Comparisons between baseline and treatment conditions yielded PND scores ranging from 45-77% for Ap and 33-92% for Ap+T. Comparison between treatments revealed a PND range of 0-50%. CONCLUSION: Although neither treatment emerged as superior, results of the study indicated that use of smartphone apps by persons with IDD increased self-recording of D and Ex behaviors and is a promising tool for promoting independent living skills.