The Effects of Fit 5 and Rosen Therapeutic Garden Program as Health Interventions for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, USA

Objective: To test the effects of a multi-component program using the Special Olympics (SO) Fit 5 Program (physical activity, diet, hydration education), versus Rosen Garden Program on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Background: Adults with ID have high prevalence of CVD risk factors. Behavioral health interventions designed to address CVD risk factors (blood pressure, weight, fruit and vegetable consumption, activity) on adults with ID remain limited. Methods: A three-arm, randomized, clustered, control pilot study using: (1) SO Fit 5 Program, (2) Rosen Garden Program, and (3) combined Fit 5 and Rosen Garden Programs. Participants were recruited from adult centers, and randomly assigned to the intervention. Assessments performed at baseline, five-week, ten-week, and three months after the intervention. Analyses included independent t-test, chi-square, and mixed linear regression modeling to test the effects of the interventions while adjusting for clustering effect. Covariances such as gender, race, and ethnicity were also included in the analysis. Discussion: Results of this study to generate valuable information on the effects of two separate or combined strategies to decrease CVD risk factors in adults with ID. Results of this study will also increase our understanding of the effectiveness of the Fit 5 and Rosen Garden Program as healthy lifestyle strategies implemented in centers for adults with ID.