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

About This Grant

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. With this goal in mind, the proposed K Mentored Research Scientist Development Award will direct Dr. Patricia West toward an established innovative independent research program. Guidance for her transition to independence will be provided in a strong institutional research environment at Michigan State University with dedicated interprofessional expert scientists and collaborative resources both internal and external to the University. The objectives of this application 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.