The Feasibility of Group Video Conferencing for Promotion of Physical Activity in Adolescents With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2017 Nov;122(6):525-538. doi: 10.1352/1944-7558-122.6.525.

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) rates of adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are low and effective strategies for increasing PA are limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a group-based PA intervention that was delivered remotely to adolescents with IDD. Participants attended 30-min group PA sessions 3 times a week. PA sessions were delivered in their homes by video conferencing on a tablet computer. Thirty-one participants enrolled and 29 completed the 12-week intervention. Participants attended 77.2% ± 20.8% of scheduled sessions and averaged 26.7 ± 2.8 min of PA/session, with 11.8 ± 4.8 min at moderate- to vigorous intensity. Group-based PA delivered remotely may be a feasible approach for the promotion of PA in adolescents with IDD.

Keywords: adolescents; intellectual disability; physical activity; remote; technology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Developmental Disabilities / rehabilitation*
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / rehabilitation*
  • Male
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care*
  • Telemedicine / methods*
  • Videoconferencing*
  • Young Adult