An Individual versus Parent Supported Physical Activity Intervention in Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Introduction Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is inadequate in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This report describes the results of an 18-mo. clinical trial in adolescents with IDD which compared changes in accelerometer assessed daily MVPA, gross motor quotient and leg press strength between participants randomized to an exercise intervention delivered to adolescents only (AO) or to the adolescent and a parent (A + P). Methods The 18-mo. trial included a 6-mo. active intervention, 6-mo. maintenance interventions, and a 6-mo. no-contact follow-up. Adolescents in both arms were asked to attend 40 min. remotely delivered group video exercise sessions (0-6 mos. =3 sessions·wk−1., 7-12 mos. =1 session·wk−1). In the A + P arm, one parent/guardian was asked to attend all group remote video exercise sessions and a monthly remotely delivered 30-min. educations/support session with their adolescent across the 12-mo. intervention. Results Adolescents (n = 116) with IDD (age ~ 16 yrs., 52% female) were randomized to the AO (n = 59) or A + P (n = 57) arms. Mixed modeling, controlling for baseline MVPA and season, indicated minimal but statistically significant changes in MVPA across 6 (p = 0.006), 12 (p < 0.001), and 18 mos. (p < 0.001). However, the change in MVPA in the two intervention arms did not differ significantly at any time point (all p > 0.05). Similarly, gross motor quotient and leg press strength improved significantly over time (p < 0.001) and these changes did not differ between intervention arms (all p > 0.05). Conclusions Parental involvement had no impact on changes in daily MVPA, gross motor quotient or leg press strength in response to a remotely delivered exercise intervention in adolescents with IDD.