We Walk Plus Study for Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

NCT04573530 | Active Not Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2020-1140
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Determine the feasibility and acceptability of We Walk Plus intervention to promote physical activity and improve cognition for older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID).

Conditions

Intellectual Disability

Keywords

physical activity; walking; older adults with an intellectual disability

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Physical activity

  daily steps

  12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Cardiovascular fitness

  12 weeks

• Self-efficacy to physical activity

  12 weeks

• Attention & executive function

  12 weeks

• Working memory

  12 weeks

• Executive function

  12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

We Walk Plus Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention group will receive a Fitbit, SMS and will be assigned to a private Fitbit community (4-5 participants per group) for 12 weeks. During the intervention, participants will receive weekly personalized SMS on their mobile phones including encouraging messages, reminders, and tips to increase steps, and weekly step goals. The investigators will use a secure, web-based platform, iCardia, to support continuous real-time remote monitoring of activity data from Fitbit devices and personalized communication via SMS based on incoming data. The investigators will set up the Fitbit networking settings on participants' phones to give notifications when there are posts to this group. Individual goals and a weekly team goal of steps will be set up by the research team. Each member will be awarded a badge upon reaching each individual's weekly goal. Teams will also be awarded badges when all team members reach their individual weekly goals.

Behavioral: We Walk Plus Intervention

Attention control group

NO INTERVENTION

The attention control group will also receive a Fitbit and will be asked to continue with normal daily activities. During the initial in-person session, they will receive the same PA recommendations as the intervention group to walk at least 30 minutes for 5 days or more a week or 10,000 steps a day. However, a plan for improving PA will not be discussed.

Interventions

We Walk Plus Intervention BEHAVIORAL

The frequency and content of weekly personalized SMS are based on each participant's preference. Prior to implementation of intervention, the investigators will conduct focus groups to learn participants' social network activities and preferences, strategies that can be used to encourage engagement via a private Fitbit community network.

We Walk Plus Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 35 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Men and women with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities;
• ages 35-60;
• able to speak, read English and willing to provide consent to enroll;
• able to follow instructions and walk, physically inactive;
• willing to receive SMS, wear Fitbit throughout the study;
• living with family or in a community residence;
• support persons are willing to assist participants to ensure the Fitbit functions properly.

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to follow instructions;
• diagnosis of coronary disease or uncontrolled hypertension, smokers, physically active;
• participating in a health promotion program;
• having mental illness or behavior problems;
• support persons unable or unwilling to assist participants with Fitbit devices, if needed.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Illinois at Chicago: lead

Study Sites (2)

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, 60608, United States

Location

Trinity Services Inc.

New Lenox, Illinois, 60451, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Intellectual Disability; Motor Activity

Interventions

Methods

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Investigative Techniques

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SEQUENTIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Associate Professor

Model Details: Participants are randomized to the intervention or control group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 14, 2020
• First Posted: October 5, 2020
• Study Start: June 15, 2021
• Primary Completion: January 15, 2026
• Study Completion: February 15, 2026
• Last Updated: December 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

US (2)