Self-Monitoring and Monetary Reinforcement Increases Rate of Walking in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

• Published in: Journal of developmental and physical disabilities Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 189 - 203
• Main Authors: Valbuena, Diego, Miltenberger, Raymond, Livingston, Cynthia, Slattery, Lindsey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.04.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Autism Spectrum Disorders; Behavior Problems; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Cancer; Child and School Psychology; Contingency Management; Diabetes; Fidelity; Health Behavior; Health problems; Incentives; Intellectual disabilities; Intellectual Disability; Intelligence Quotient; Intervention; Muscular Strength; Obesity; Original Article; Pediatrics; People with disabilities; Periodicals; Physical Activities; Physical activity; Physical Disabilities; Physical Fitness; Program Implementation; Psychology; Public Health; Reinforcement; Self Destructive Behavior; Selfmonitoring; Walking; Pedometers; Walking; Financial incentives; Monetary contingency management; Intellectual disabilities
• ISSN: 1056-263X; 1573-3580
• DOI: 10.1007/s10882-018-9627-8

Physical inactivity is a widespread problem associated with numerous health problems and many individuals with intellectual disabilities are physically inactive. This study used an ABAB design to evaluate a session-based self-monitoring and monetary reinforcement intervention for increasing walking by adults with intellectual disabilities at a worksite. The intervention resulted in a noticeable increase in the rate of walking for all five participants, with consistent increases for four participants. This study also evaluated if staff could correctly implement the intervention. The staff member implemented the treatment with high fidelity, and the higher rates of walking observed when the researchers implemented the intervention were maintained when staff implemented the intervention. The participants and the staff member rated the intervention as effective and acceptable.