Explanatory Capacity of Postural Control and Physical Fitness in Cognitive Impairment and Support Needs among Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities-A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

Postural control is a skill associated with most motor activities and is essential for the performance of activities of daily living. People with intellectual disabilities (ID) present postural control deficits that can be attributed to several causes. The aim of this study was to determine whether postural control and physical fitness could explain the cognitive impairment and support needs in this population. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted with 18 people with ID. Data collection was based on assessments for postural control (Mini BESTest and Berg Balance Scale) and physical fitness (Senior Fitness Test). The data were analyzed using linear regression models. Anticipatory postural adjustments were associated with support needs, explaining up to 45% of these. Consecutive postural adjustments and upper limb strength were less significantly associated with support needs. However, none of the variables used explained cognitive impairment in ID. Knowledge of the relationships and behavior of the different measurement tools is essential for the development of appropriate interventions in this population.

Reliability and Validity of the Six Spot Step Test in People with Intellectual Disability.

Clinical tests for the evaluation of balance in people with intellectual disability that have been most commonly used depend on the subjective evaluation of the evaluator, easily reach the ceiling effect and are poorly sensitive to small changes; but new tests have been developed, such as the Six Spot Step Test. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and within-day and day-to-day test-retest reliability of the Six Spot Step Test in people with intellectual disability. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 18 people with intellectual disability. The participants conducted the Six Spot Step Test three times and a set of five clinical tests for the balance assessment. The relative reliability was excellent (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) = 0.86 - 0.97), and the absolute reliability ranged between 4.7% and 7.3% for coefficient variation and between 0.6 and 1.2 for the standard error of measurement. Linear regression models showed that that test can explain the results of the Timed Up & Go, Four Square Step Test and the Berg Balance Scale. The Six Spot Step Test proved to be as valid and reliable for the evaluation of dynamic balance in people with intellectual disability as the most frequently used tests for the clinical evaluation of postural control.