mHealth Support to Stimulate Physical Activity in Individuals With Intellectual Disability: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Pilot Study

Henriette Michalsen; Silje C Wangberg; Gunnar Hartvigsen; André Henriksen; Gunn Pettersen; Letizia Jaccheri; Reidun Birgitta Jahnsen; Gyrd Thrane; Cathrine Arntzen; Audny Anke

doi:10.2196/37849

mHealth Support to Stimulate Physical Activity in Individuals With Intellectual Disability: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Pilot Study

JMIR Res Protoc. 2022 Sep 15;11(9):e37849. doi: 10.2196/37849.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
² Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Narvik, Norway.
³ Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, UiT - The Artic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
⁴ Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
⁵ Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.
⁶ Institute of Health and Society, Research Centre for Habilitation and Rehabilitation Models and Services (CHARM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
⁷ Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UIT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.

PMID: 36107473
PMCID: PMC9523523
DOI: 10.2196/37849

Abstract

Background: Several studies have shown that individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have low levels of physical activity (PA), and intervention studies on PA suggest inconsistent evidence. The use of technology as a means of motivation for PA has yet to be extensively explored and needs to be further investigated.

Objective: We aim to assess the feasibility and acceptability of procedures for an intervention arm in a future trial on mobile health (mHealth) to support PA for individuals with IDs. In addition, we aim to examine how the use of technology can influence motivation for PA among participants, their caregivers, and staff members.

Methods: A mixed methods pilot study of an intervention arm will be carried out in a planned randomized controlled trial (RCT). Ten participants with ID and their caregivers or a staff member will be included. Information will always be provided by a caregiver or a staff member, or participants with ID if possible. Assessments will be carried out at baseline, follow-up after 4 weeks, and 12 weeks, and include questionnaires on PA, social support, self-efficacy, and challenging behavior. PA will be measured with 2 different activity trackers (Fitbit and Axivity) for 1 week at all assessments. Feasibility will be assessed as recruitment and adherence rate, missing data, usability of the motivational mHealth tool, and estimates of effectiveness. Acceptability of study procedures, activity measures, and motivation for participation in PA will be additionally assessed with qualitative methods at the end of the intervention.

Results: Enrollment commenced in May 2021. Data collection was completed in March 2022.

Conclusions: This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of study procedures of the intervention arm of a planned RCT to address feasibility issues, improve study procedures, and estimate effectiveness of the study measures. How the use of technology can influence motivation for PA will also be examined, which can help guide and improve future PA interventions involving the use of technology.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04929106; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04929106.

International registered report identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/37849.

Keywords: caregivers; exercise; intellectual disability; mHealth; mobile health; physical activity; pilot study; protocol; technology; trial.

©Henriette Michalsen, Silje C Wangberg, Gunnar Hartvigsen, André Henriksen, Gunn Pettersen, Letizia Jaccheri, Reidun Birgitta Jahnsen, Gyrd Thrane, Cathrine Arntzen, Audny Anke. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 15.09.2022.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04929106