Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies
Date Submitted: Aug 18, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Aug 18, 2025 - Sep 2, 2025
Date Accepted: Sep 25, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
A Technology-aided Program to Help People with Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities Access Leisure Stimuli and Engage in Cognitive and Physical Activity: Development and Usability Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
People with moderate-to-severe intellectual disability can have difficulties in accessing leisure stimuli and engaging in basic cognitive and physical activity independently. These difficulties may be even more marked in individuals with a combination of intellectual disability and sensory or sensory-motor impairments.
Objective:
This study assessed a new program relying on touch screen technology, which was set up to support access to leisure stimuli and the performance of a simple form of cognitive activity and basic physical exercise for adults with intellectual or intellectual and hearing disabilities, lack of functional speech, and poor motor dexterity.
Methods:
The program alternated access to preferred stimuli (i.e., songs, comics, or cartoons) with cognitive activity (i.e., matching-to-sample tasks) and physical exercise (i.e., body movements). The touch screen technology was modified to ensure that people with poor motor dexterity would be effective in their responding regardless of the accuracy of their responses. The program was implemented with seven participants. Its impact was assessed through the use of single-case research methodology.
Results:
During the baseline (when standard technology was used), the mean percentage of songs, comic sketches or cartoons, match-to-sample responses, and body movements accessed or performed correctly and independent of research assistants’ help was zero for all participants with a single exception. During the intervention (when the new program with modified touch screen technology was used), the participants’ mean percentage for songs, comic sketches or cartoons accessed correctly and independent of research assistants’ help per session was (virtually) 100. Their mean percentage for correct match-to-sample responses and body movements performed independent of research assistants’ help was within the 90-100 range.
Conclusions:
The findings suggest that the program may represent a useful tool for helping people with intellectual and multiple disabilities access leisure stimuli and engage in cognitive and physical activity.
Citation
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Copyright
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