Using Motion-Sensor Games to Encourage Physical Activity for Adults with Intellectual Disability

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2016:220:417-23.

Abstract

Adults with Intellectual Disability (ID) are at high risk of being in poor health as a result of exercising infrequently; recent evidence indicates this is often due to there being a lack of opportunities to exercise. This pilot study involved an investigation of the use of motion-sensor game technology to enable and encourage exercise for this population. Five adults (two female; 3 male, aged 34-74 [M = 55.20, SD = 16.71] with ID used motion-sensor games to conduct exercise at weekly sessions at a day-centre. Session attendees reported to have enjoyed using the games, and that they would like to use the games in future. Interviews were conducted with six (four female; two male, aged 27-51 [M = 40.20, SD = 11.28]) day-centre staff, which indicated ways in which the motion-sensor games could be improved for use by adults with ID, and barriers to consider in relation to their possible future implementation. Findings indicate motion-sensor games provide a useful, enjoyable and accessible way for adults with ID to exercise. Future research could investigate implementation of motion-sensor games as a method for exercise promotion for this population on a larger scale.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Disabled Persons / rehabilitation*
  • Exercise Therapy / instrumentation
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Health Promotion / methods
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / diagnosis
  • Intellectual Disability / rehabilitation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation
  • Play Therapy / instrumentation
  • Play Therapy / methods*
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Video Games*