JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There is a need for physical activity (PA) promotion interventions in adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Current interventions have shown limited effectiveness, which may be attributed to the absence of a theoretical framework and the lack of population-specific development.

Objective:

To report the systematic development of the Move it, Move ID! intervention by describing how the different steps of the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) were applied and to present the results that emerged within those steps. In doing so, the (theoretical) intervention content of the intervention is detailly described.

Methods:

The eight steps of the BCW were systematically followed for the theory-based development of the intervention. The BCW was accompanied with six co-creation sessions in two different groups of adolescents and young adults (14-22y) with mild to moderate ID.

Results:

After behavioural analysis, ten intervention goals were chosen and linked to COM-B components that need to be addressed in order to increase PA in adolescents and young adults with ID. Judgments on the most suitable intervention functions and behaviour change techniques (BCTs) were explained, leading to the description of a PA promotion programme in which a buddy system will be linked with a supporting app.

Conclusions:

Transparent description of development process highlights why certain intervention components and BCTs were chosen and how they are intertwined by means of the intervention design. Findings may aid future PA promotion researchers in developing an intervention for adolescents and young adults with ID.