GameSquad for Adults With Down Syndrome

University of Kansas Medical Center20 enrolled

Overview

The investigators are assessing acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the adapted GameSquad-DS intervention using validated scales alongside qualitative data among young adults with Down Syndrome. Specifically, the investigators will assess mins/wk of Ring-Fit Adventure played, attendance at 30 min. virtual health coaching sessions, semi-structured interviews, participant retention, and intervention safety measured as number of adverse events.

Adults with DS face unique barriers to participation in MVPA. Exergames, which integrate MVPA into video game play are an affordable, accessible, home-based exercise program which has shown effectiveness for increasing MVPA and improving both physical and cognitive function in typically developed populations. An exergaming intervention with individual health coaching called GameSquad has been shown to be effective in improving MVPA and cardiometabolic parameters in children with overweight/obesity and adolescents with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses. The investigators propose a two phased project to adapt/evaluate the GameSquad intervention for use in adults with DS (GameSquad-DS). In Phase 1, the investigators will utilize a formative approach to develop GameSquad-DS, pilot test the intervention for 4 weeks in 10 young adults with DS and use feedback to refine the intervention for use in Phase 2. In Phase 2, the investigators will conduct a 12-wk. single arm pilot trial in 20 young adults with DS to assess the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention and calculate effect sizes for change MVPA, physical function, muscular strength, physical activity enjoyment, and self-efficacy. Successful completion of this project represents an initial step in achieving the goal of developing effective interventions to increase MVPA and promote healthy aging in adults with DS.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Down Syndrome Physical Inactivity

Interventions

Ring-Fit Adventure GroupBEHAVIORAL

Participants will be asked to play the exergame software, Ring-Fit Adventure, and attend weekly virtual health coaching sessions.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 30 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Young adults (18-30 yrs.). * Diagnosis of DS. * Sufficient functional ability to understand directions, communicate preferences, wants, and needs through spoken language. * Living at home with a parent/guardian or in a supported living environment with a parent/caregiver who agrees to serve as a study partner. Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to participate in MVPA. * Serious medical risk, e.g., cancer, recent heart attack, stroke, angioplasty as determined by their primary care provider (PCP).

Locations (1)

Kirmayer Fitness Center

Kansas City, Kansas, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Minutes of Gameplay Per Week

Minutes of Ring-Fit Adventure played per week will be collected from a self-reported sign in sheet.

Time frame: 12-weeks

Retention

Participant retention will be collected.

Time frame: 12-weeks

Attendance

Attendance at 30 min virtual health coaching sessions will be collected.

Time frame: 12-weeks

Secondary Outcomes

6-minute Walk Test

This test measures the distance that a participant can walk on a flat, hard surface in a period of 6 minutes. The research team will instruct them on how to prepare and conduct this test.

Time frame: 12-weeks

Leg Strength

Leg strength will be measured on the leg press machine. Researchers will assess the maximum amount of weight the participant can press for 5 repetitions.

Time frame: 12-weeks

Hand Grip Strength

The participant will be asked to squeeze a device as hard as they can to test their grip strength. This will be done on both hands.

Time frame: 12-weeks

Timed Up and Go

During this test, the participant will be asked to sit down in a chair. Approximately 10 feet in front of the participant there will be a line on the floor. The research team will say "go" and the participant will get up from the chair, walk to the line at a normal pace, and then turnaround and walk back to the chair and sit down again. The research team will record how long it takes to do this.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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