Using Technologies to Promote HEalthy Lifestyles in Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities

Summary

IDHEApp will implement various educational technology tools and work with the families, teachers and caregivers to increase physical activity (PA) and improve healthy eating. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the use of innovative digital technology can contribute not just to distance learning but also to support families and students in remote. However, both healthy habits and technologies are insufficiently addressed in the population with IDD. These needs are in line with the following objectives of the Erasmus+ programme: a) Inclusion and diversity in all fields of education, training, youth and sport; b) Addressing digital transformation through development of digital readiness, resilience and capacity, and c) Encouraging the participation in sport and physical activity.

Educators will find innovative possibilities and the right instruments that will enable them to fulfil their potential through innovative online education \& learning \& training skills module for lifestyle promotion and others available on the app. Furthermore, mentors and others health professionals (e.g., nursing etc.) will be equipped with knowledge and skills on how to use the app to teach practical skills for PA enhancement in an evidence-based way. Consequently, this project will contribute to \[specific objectives - SO\]:

\- Raise awareness of the importance of healthy and active living among young Europeans with intellectual disabilities.

Different workshops and bigger events (i.e., international conference), together with the involvement of numerous participants from the institutions of this consortium will be ensured. Further, a sensitized community will participate through the social networks and the website itself, in the proposed activities.

\- Provide digital resources and tools to the partner entities of the exchange to improve lifestyle of young people with intellectual disabilities.

Best Practices to provide high quality, inclusive digital health education with the best educational technology tools and methodology. A website, a mobile app and different electronic guidelines will be delivered.

\- Analyze the current state of use and acceptance of technologies as support in the management of health in adolescent with intellectual disabilities.

Conditions

• Intellectual Disabilities (F70-F79)
• Down Syndrome (DS)
• Autism Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

mHealth

The intervention was carried out over a period of 8 consecutive weeks and was delivered through a mobile application specifically developed for this project, called IDHEApp, which incorporated gamification elements to enhance user engagement and motivation. Participants in the experimental group received a structured mHealth-based program aimed at promoting healthier behaviors in three primary domains: physical activity, sedentary behavior reduction, and dietary improvement. Objective data on physical activity and sedentary behavior were collected using a smartwatch device (Fitbit Versa 3), which was worn by all participants in both the experimental and control groups throughout the study. However, only participants in the experimental group received a daily personalized behavioral challenge targeting one of the following domains: 1. Increasing physical activity (e.g., "Walk an additional 1,000 steps today"); 2. Reducing sedentary behavior (e.g., "Stand up and move for at least 5 minut

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Technology Munich

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Seville

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Borja Sañudo, PhD · University pof Seville

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

4 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-01-01

Primary Completion

2025-09-01

Completion

2025-09-01

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations