scholarly journals Dementia Screening Questionnaire for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

2007 ◽  
Vol 190 (5) ◽  
pp. 440-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoumitro Deb ◽  
Monika Hare ◽  
Lindsay Prior ◽  
Sabyasachi Bhaumik

BackgroundMany adults with Down's syndrome develop Alzheimer's dementia relatively early in their lives, but accurate clinical diagnosis remains difficult.AimsTo develop a user-friendly observer-rated dementia screening questionnaire with strong psychometric properties for adults with intellectual disabilities.MethodWe used qualitative methods to gather information from carers of people with Down's syndrome about the symptoms of dementia. This provided the items for the Dementia Screening Questionnaire for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (DSQIID), which we then tested for its psychometric properties.ResultsThe DSQIID was administered to carers of 193 adults with Down's syndrome, 117 of whom were examined by clinicians who confirmed a diagnosis of dementia for 49 according to modified ICD–10 criteria. We established that a total score of 20 provides maximum sensitivity (0.92) and optimum specificity (0.97) for screening. The DSQIID has sound internal consistency (α = 0.91) for all its 53 items, and good test–retest and interrater reliability. We established a good construct validity by dividing the items into four factors.ConclusionsThe DSQIID is a valid, reliable and user-friendly observer-rated questionnaire for screening for dementia among adults with Down's syndrome.

Author(s):  
Pamela Bartlo ◽  
Penelope J. Klein

Abstract Regular physical activity is vital for adult individuals with intellectual disabilities. The purpose of this review was to assess critically the evidence on effectiveness of physical activity interventions for adults with intellectual disability. An electronic database search was conducted. Research was then assessed for methodological rigor, and strength of the evidence was determined. Eleven clinical studies met inclusion criteria. Interventions studied included a variety of physical activity modes. Critical review revealed moderate to strong evidence that physical activity positively affected balance, muscle strength, and quality of life in individuals with intellectual disability. The authors also found that the research in this area needs to be translated into practice, specifically the development of physical activity programs that are adaptable to the needs of individuals with intellectual disability.


Author(s):  
Ruth Cabeza-Ruiz

For the assessment of the health-related physical fitness (PF) of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), tools designed for people without disabilities have generally been used. Also, the results of these assessments have routinely been compared with the scores obtained by people without ID. The objectives of the present study are to present the rationale for the design of an assessment battery for PF, the so-called SAMU DIS-FIT battery, and to present the results obtained by the participants classified according to age, sex, and level of PF (physical fitness). The selection criteria for the tests that would make up the battery were: (i) utility, (ii) psychometric properties, (iii) easiness and diversity, (iv) simplicity of execution, (v) familiarity and motivation, and (vi) economy of resources. A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the PF of 261 individuals with ID. To interpret the results obtained by the participants, each of the quantitative variables of PF was categorized into three levels: lower-fit, mid-fit, and higher-fit. The findings of this study serve as a first step in establishing PF baseline values for individuals with ID.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document