Advancing Cardiovascular Health Among Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities: Co-Development of Technology Interventions to Enhance Physical Activity

Adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) face significant health issues, particularly in managing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular (CV) health risks. These issues are exacerbated by limited physical activity (PA), health literacy challenges, and a lack of evidence-based health interventions. This project aims to address these gaps by engaging adolescents with ID and their stakeholders supporting ID as co-researchers to design, adapt, and pilot-test a virtual reality (VR)-based PA intervention tailored to their needs. The long-term goal is to dismantle factors to improve health outcomes for adolescents with ID through innovative, collaborative research that enhances health literacy, increases PA, and lowers CV health risks. The objectives of this study will address three specific aims: 1) adapt and validate research instruments by collaborating with adolescents with ID and their ID stakeholders to incorporate common language in measures for assessing health outcomes; 2) evaluate and select VR-based PA programs by engaging co-researchers in identifying effective VR exergame interventions for improving health outcomes through PA; and 3) pilot-test the VR PA intervention, which incorporates peer support. We will assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of our 16-week VR exergame PA intervention using co-adapted measures and biologic CV risk measures. A quasi-experimental mixed-methods approach will be used, guided by our Logic Model. Preliminary evidence highlights the potential of interactive, technology-driven PA to address CV risks while fostering peer engagement and optimal self-efficacy to manage health. The expected outcomes are: 1) validated measures through greater health literacy, and 2) a co-designed intervention to reduce CV risks that helps adolescents with ID to take an active role in their health. By addressing critical gaps in health literacy, self-efficacy, and PA, this work advances healthcare practices and supports long-term improvements in public health.

Inclusion Criteria: The study will be offered to adolescents with ID who meet eligibility criteria and provide assent and parental consent. Adolescents aged 11-17 years will be eligible if: 1) diagnosed with mild to moderate ID, 2) able to communicate through spoken language or use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), 3) understand spoken English, 4) absence of medical contraindications to PA and playing VR games, 5) parent/guardian agrees to attend virtual meetings and adolescents, and 6) internet access. \- Exclusion Criteria: \-