Interventions aimed at increasing physical activity in people with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder

Background

In a previous evidence map of systematic reviews of behavioural interventions aimed at increasing physical activity, SBU identified a lack of well conducted systematic reviews for, for example, people with disabilities. Against this background, SBU received a government commission to develop a knowledge base focusing on interventions to increase physical activity among people with disabilities, as well as those with physical or mental health problems. The population is very heterogeneous with very different needs, and including the entire population would result in a project that is far too extensive. The assignment has therefore been limited to people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD)

Objective

This systematic review looks at interventions aimed at increasing physical activity among people with ID or ASD. The project includes both a quantitative synthesis of studies examining which interventions are effective in increasing physical activity, as well as a qualitative component that explores the barriers and facilitators for people with ID or ASD to increasing their physical activity.

Experts

• Ing-Mari Dohrn, PhD, Physiotherapist
• Susann Arnell, PhD, Physiotherapist
• Ulrika Långh, PhD, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Certified behaviour analyst
• Ulrika Müssener, Associate professor, Occupational therapist

From SBU

• Fanny Sellberg, Project manager
• Annika Bring, Associate project manager
• Hanna Olofsson, Information specialist 
• Maria Hoppe, Project administrator
• Jenny Odeberg, Project director