Perceptual-vision Training and Intellectual Disabilities

Università degli Studi dell'Insubria

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Intellectual Impairment; Sports Physical Therapy; Activity, Motor; Intellectual Disability

Treatments: Other: Control Group; Other: Visual Training-detraining; Other: Visual Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06628999

0119168

Details and patient eligibility

About

Physical activity for healthy ageing is an important feature and the possibility to detect practical solutions to solve the need for feasible health promotion interventions to reduce health disparities and wellbeing in individuals with intellectual disability (ID) is an open question. In this perspective, vision has a remarkable role in spatial cognition and organization, especially in individuals with ID. Therefore, the aim is to investigate the effectiveness of a perceptual-vision training program on cognitive performance (inhibitory control) and physical fitness (balance, agility and muscular strength) in adults with ID throughout 16 weeks. Participants with mild ID will be randomly divided into a perceptual-vision training group, a perceptual-vision training-detraining group and a control group. Cognitive performance and physical fitness will be assessed at baseline, mid and at the end of 16 weeks. In conclusion, a visual training program may present the potentiality to impact various health domains, from cognition to physical performance in individuals with intellectual disabilities, promoting their healthy aging.

Full description

Despite the importance of physical activity for healthy ageing and the need for feasible health promotion interventions to reduce health disparities and improve aging wellbeing in individuals with intellectual disability (ID), there is a lack of empirically supported strategies for health promotion and disease prevention in adults with ID. Notably, vision and eye tracking play a key role in spatial cognition and orientation triggering several brain areas and people with ID may present anomalous visual movements, spatial organization or cognitive performance. The aim of the present project is to investigate a potential strategy for promoting healthy ageing targeting both physical and cognitive domains in individuals with ID. Specifically, this project will study the effect of a perceptual-vision training program on cognitive performance (inhibitory control) and physical fitness (balance, agility and muscular strength) in adults with ID. The second aim is to test the association between cognitive and physical performance variables. Participants with mild ID will be randomly allocated to a perceptual-vision training group (n = 28), a perceptual-vision training-detraining group (n = 28) and a control group (n = 28).

During the overall 16 weeks, the perceptual-vision training group will follow an intervention protocol based on vision and oculomotor exercises combined with balance motor actions for the entire period, the perceptual-vision training-detraining group will follow the same oculomotor training program for 8 weeks and a period of detraining for the last consecutive 8 weeks. Lastly, the control group will continue to perform habitual active lifestyle for 16 weeks. Cognitive performance and physical fitness will be assessed at baseline, mid (end of 8 week), and post intervention period (end of 16 week). Overall, a perceptual-vision training program may have the potential to positively impact various aspects of life quality in individuals with ID promoting autonomy, health, social integration, and overall wellbeing. This may be a promising strategy to ameliorate healthy ageing of people with ID across various domains.

Enrollment: 84 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 70 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• age between 40 and 70 years
• mild ID (Intellectual Quotient = 51-69).

Exclusion criteria

• inability to understand basic verbal communication
• strict dependence on personnel or assistive support devices
• presence of concomitant sensorial or physical impairments
• presence of behavioural problems or any other clinical condition that may compromise the regular physical activity practice

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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84 participants in 3 patient groups

Visual Training Group

Experimental group

Description:

Visual Training Group: physical training exercises aiming to combine visual skills with basic motor actions for 16 consecutive weeks

Treatment:

Other: Visual Training

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Control Group: active lifestyle based on healthy habits for 16 consecutive weeks

Treatment:

Other: Control Group

Visual Training-detraining Group

Experimental group

Description:

Visual Training-detraining Group: physical exercises physical training exercises aiming to combine visual skills with basic motor actions for 8 consecutive weeks. The last remaining 8 weeks (up to 16 week) the group will conduct a period of detraining in which no physical exercises will be administered

Treatment:

Other: Visual Training-detraining