Functional Skills Training for Supermarket Shopping Using NFC Technology in People With Intellectual Disabilities

Universidade da Coruña20 enrolled

Overview

The general objective of the "Compra con-Migo" project is to evaluate the impact of a technological tool based on NFC (Near Field Communication) technology on the development of cognitive and instrumental skills necessary to carry out the activity of shopping in supermarkets in people with intellectual disabilities. Specifically, it is intended to analyze the evolution of performance in tasks such as planning, product recognition, calculation, payment and functional autonomy, after the use of an adapted gamified application. The research is structured as a pilot, analytical, longitudinal and prospective study, without a control group, with evaluations in three moments: pre-intervention, intermediate and post-intervention. This methodological decision responds both to ethical criteria, by avoiding denying a potentially beneficial intervention, and to logistical limitations typical of institutional environments. Statistical analysis will be performed with R, using analysis tools for repeated measurements, both parametric and non-parametric, as appropriate. The study population is composed of adults with intellectual disabilities, aged between 18 and 65 years, who regularly take part in therapy sessions in specialized centers. A sample of between 34 and 40 participants is expected. The intervention will be carried out in various Care Centers for People with Disabilities (CAPD) and associations in Galicia (Spain), specifically in the CAPD of A Coruña, Chapela, Sarria, Souto de Leixa and the O Saiar Occupational Center. This study will not only evaluate the use of the tool in real environments, but also generate evidence applicable to its future implementation in other contexts. The proposal is aligned with the principles of accessibility, technological innovation and social inclusion, and seeks to offer a structured, motivating and effective therapeutic resource.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Interventions

App trainingOTHER

The intervention will take place over eight weeks, with a frequency of two weekly sessions in which participants will work with the "Compra con-Migo" (Shop with Me) application. Each session will be supervised by the center's professional, ensuring that the participant can interact with the application autonomously to the best of their ability. The following elements will be required for the development of each session: * Intervention record document. * Tablet with the "Compra con-Migo" app installed. * Baskets. * Physical objects in representation of purchase products. The user will carry out the intervention, which will consist of completing five shopping lists pre-designed by the research team. Each list will involve scanning 5 objects and simulating a payment. After completing four weeks of intervention, an intermediate evaluation will be carried out to analyze the progress made so far. In addition, a proprietary evaluation tool will be applied.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * People with disabilities who regularly participate in therapy sessions. * People with disabilities within the age range between 18 and 65 years. * Participants who agree and have signed the informed consent to participate in the study and the authorization for data collection. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with disabilities that limit the ability to interact with the tool (e.g., severe visual, hearing, or cognitive difficulties) that significantly limit the ability to interact with the tool. * Participants who are unable to regularly attend scheduled therapy sessions, affecting consistency in the intervention. * Participants with unstable medical or psychological conditions who may experience aggravation of their condition due to interaction with the tool. * Participants who are involved in other interventions or studies that may influence the results of this protocol.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Level of Performance Shown by the Participant During the Performance of the Purchase Simulation

The Basic Everyday Living Skills (BELS) scale will be administered. Standardized and validated tool in the Spanish context designed to assess changes in the performance of daily living skills. It is made up of 26 questions, each of which describes a specific behavior. Each question is divided into two scales: * A three-part scale on the degree of opportunity to carry out activities independently. * A five-part scale on the actual level of completion of each activity of daily living.