NCT03203226

The Feldenkrais Method for People With Intellectual Disability

The Feldenkrais Method for Improving Functioning and Body Balance in People With Intellectual Disability: a Randomized Clinical Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 40 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Loss of functioning and age-related health problems tend to appear earlier in individuals with intellectual disability (ID) than in their non-disabled peers and due to this people with ID who are in employment tend to need to retire earlier, producing social, economic and health problems. The Feldenkrais method (FM) is a movement-based form of learning that enhances body balance and physical functioning. We hypothesized that the FM could be helpful to improve balance and functioning of employed people with ID.

Detailed description

The aim of this study will be to determine the effects of a Feldenkraisn Method (FM) program in improving functionality and body balance in supported employed individuals with ID. To evaluate this effect, a total of subjects will participate in a longitudinal and clinical trial. Sample size has been calculated to detect minimal significant effects on the variable of physical performance (SPPB): accepting an alpha risk of 0.05 and a beta risk of 0.20 in a bilateral contrast, 26 individuals are required in order to detect a difference equal to or greater than 1.5 unit in the SPPB (SD= 1.94). It has been increased the sample size in an additional 20% (losts during follow-up) and 5% (mortality). The resultant sample size is determinate in 32 individuals, who are equally randomized in both experimental and control groups. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows (Version 22.0). Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all outcome measures. Mean differences within the groups in the functional tests and stabilometric outcomes were estimated using paired sample t-tests, while mean differences between the groups in these variables were estimated using repeated measures analysis of variance. Differences were considered significant at p \< 0.05. To determine the magnitude of the interactions between time and group, the effect size or µ2 was calculated as described by Cohen (1998) and interpreted as small (\> 0.01 and \< 0.06), moderate (≥ 0.06 and \< 0.14) or large (≥ 0.14).

Conditions

• Intellectual Disability

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	FELDENKRAIS METHOD (FM)	They EG will receive the intervention of FM consisting of 30 lessons (1h-lesson per week; 30 weeks) verbal instructions provided by the therapist to participants. These instructions provide different options on how to perform a specific task with the purpose of leaving the decision on how to do the movement up to the performer, who has to focus on thinking, feeling, sensing and doing the movement as easily as possible.The lessons can be conducted sitting, standing or moving within a room.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-01-01
• Primary completion: 2016-12-28
• Completion: 2017-01-30
• First posted: 2017-06-29
• Last updated: 2017-07-02