Natural Setting Interventions to Increase Physical Activity Level in Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review.

Only eight studies were included, and they used different designs, settings, interventions and physical activity measures. Only one study was at low risk of bias; another cluster-randomised trial had a high risk of bias, mainly because 75% of participants had unreliable baseline step data. The interventions were multi-component, so the effect of any single component, such as pedometers, reinforcement, goal setting or carer support, cannot be separated. Some studies measured activity only during planned sessions, so they do not show whether overall daily physical activity changed. The age criteria were broadened to include adults under 40, so the findings may not apply specifically to older adults. All studies were from high-income countries in North America and Europe.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest. Funding was from Fonds de Recherche du Québec-Société et Culture.

Do not conclude that natural-setting programmes increase physical activity in older adults with intellectual disabilities. The effects were mixed, the only low-risk study found no significant change, and the interventions were multi-component, so no single component can be credited.