Clinical Research Directory

A Single-Arm Interventional Trial of Pepper- Robot Delivered Cancer Education for Adults With Intellectual Disability

Individuals with Intellectual disability face numerous barriers to cancer education, awareness and screening, including communication challenges, anxiety, and a lack of accessible educational resources. Traditional methods often fail to meet their unique learning needs, contributing to lower screening rates , delayed diagnoses and poorer outcomes.. Socially assistive robots, have demonstrated effectiveness in delivering interactive, engaging, and tailored education, helping individuals with cognitive impairments better understand medical procedures and the importance of preventive care. The study investigators propose to conduct a pilot single arm clinical trial with a semi humanoid robot to deliver cancer awareness education to adults with intellectual disability attending a disability day service in Ireland .The semi humanoid robot will be programmed to engage in 2 way communication about the cancer related educational content that is uploaded on its system. .Approximately 25 adults with ID will receive the robot led educational intervention addressing both breast and colorectal cancer awareness and screening. This a pragmatic pilot study to inform a future larger controlled clinical trial Our overall objective is to Improve breast and colorectal cancer awareness knowledge level among adults with ID receiving a robot-delivered education intervention

Emotion Processing and Regulation in People With Intellectual Disability

BACKGROUND Intellectual disability (ID) is neurodevelopmental disorder with social impairments, in areas such as interpersonal communication skills and emotion regulation. This overlaps with disabilities associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Differences in emotion processing, specifically emotion recognition, reappraisal, and reinforcement learning, has not been compared between patients with ID and ASD. Despite difficulties in emotion regulation among patients with ID, there is a lack of adapted psychotherapy for this patient group. AIMS * To examine differences in emotion processing in individuals with intellectual disability (ID) compared to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developed individuals. * To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an adapted psychotherapeutic intervention to improve emotion regulation in individuals with ID. Data and method The first research question is addressed through a cross-sectional study involving 160 participants: 40 individuals with ID, 40 individuals with ASD, and 80 typically developed controls. Participants will undergo psychological experiments where the investigator simultaneously measure eye movement and pupil dilation using an eye-tracker. To investigate different aspects of social cognition, the investigator will use three psychological experiments: emotion recognition, emotion reappraisal, and reinforced learning in a social context. Differences in social cognition are subsequently used in predictive models to predict the group affiliation of study participants. To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of an adapted emotion regulation treatment based on Dialectic Behavioral Therapy skills system (DBT-SS), the 40 study participants with ID will undergo a manual-based psychotherapy. The treatment consists of 24 group and individual sessions over 24 weeks. The treatment includes nine skill-systems. Outcome measures are administered at baseline, post-treatment, and at a 6-month follow-up. SOCIETAL RELENVANCE This research addresses a significant knowledge gap in social cognition and mental health in individuals with ID. The results may lead to a better understanding of differences in social cognition compared to individuals with ASD, and effective, targeted interventions for emotion regulation in individuals with ID. In the long run, the treatment could help reduce off-label prescription of antipsychotics to manage behavioral deviations in individuals with ID, as challenging behaviors often stem from difficulties with emotion regulation. PROJECT REALISATION The research group consists of an interdisciplinary composition of experts in neuropsychology, experimental psychology, and implementation of psychotherapeutic research. The project has obtained ethical approval and follows the principles of open science, with pre-registration of study protocols.

Falls In Spanish People With Intellectual Disabilities: Risk Factors And Predictive Equation. Falls.Di Study

This multicenter study aims to understand the specific risk factors for falls in Spanish people with intellectual disabilities in order to design an instrument to assess the risk of future falls in this population. To this end, a prospective cohort study will be conducted in a sample of people with intellectual disabilities who meet predefined inclusion criteria from the Fundación Hospitalarias España centers that care for people with intellectual disabilities. Participants' medical records will be reviewed for sociodemographic variables and associated comorbidities, and gait and balance will be assessed to identify potential risk factors. The number of falls experienced by participants will be monitored for 12 months. After the observation period, a statistical analysis will be performed to identify the main risk factors in the sample. These factors will be used to model a mathematical equation predicting the number of future falls.

Optimizing Dimensions of Reinforcement

This study is designed to better understand how certain features of reinforcement affect learning and motivation in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Participants will take part in a series of structured teaching sessions that involve simple tasks and reward-based feedback. By changing the timing and amount of rewards, we aim to learn how these factors influence the ability to acquire and maintain new skills. This information may help improve behavioral interventions for individuals with IDD in the future. The study does not involve medications or procedures intended to change participants' health status.

Using Technologies to Promote HEalthy Lifestyles in Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities

IDHEApp will implement various educational technology tools and work with the families, teachers and caregivers to increase physical activity (PA) and improve healthy eating. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the use of innovative digital technology can contribute not just to distance learning but also to support families and students in remote. However, both healthy habits and technologies are insufficiently addressed in the population with IDD. These needs are in line with the following objectives of the Erasmus+ programme: a) Inclusion and diversity in all fields of education, training, youth and sport; b) Addressing digital transformation through development of digital readiness, resilience and capacity, and c) Encouraging the participation in sport and physical activity. Educators will find innovative possibilities and the right instruments that will enable them to fulfil their potential through innovative online education \& learning \& training skills module for lifestyle promotion and others available on the app. Furthermore, mentors and others health professionals (e.g., nursing etc.) will be equipped with knowledge and skills on how to use the app to teach practical skills for PA enhancement in an evidence-based way. Consequently, this project will contribute to \[specific objectives - SO\]: \- Raise awareness of the importance of healthy and active living among young Europeans with intellectual disabilities. Different workshops and bigger events (i.e., international conference), together with the involvement of numerous participants from the institutions of this consortium will be ensured. Further, a sensitized community will participate through the social networks and the website itself, in the proposed activities. \- Provide digital resources and tools to the partner entities of the exchange to improve lifestyle of young people with intellectual disabilities. Best Practices to provide high quality, inclusive digital health education with the best educational technology tools and methodology. A website, a mobile app and different electronic guidelines will be delivered. \- Analyze the current state of use and acceptance of technologies as support in the management of health in adolescent with intellectual disabilities.

Using a Smart Inhaler to Support Asthma Management in Adolescents With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Correct use of daily medications containing inhaled corticosteroids is key for asthma control, yet children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face additional barriers to proper inhaler use. Smart inhalers, a novel technology that provides guidance and immediate feedback on inhaler use techniques, have been shown to enhance correct medication administration in the typically developing pediatric population, but their effectiveness has not been evaluated on the pediatric IDD population. This study aims to investigate whether daily application of smart inhalers (1) is feasible and acceptable in the IDD population, (2) improves the rate of correct medication administration, and (3) results in improvement in lung function. This effort aims to promote better asthma management in the IDD population.