Dual-Task Cost Effects on Static Posture Control Parameters and Choice Reaction Time in Individuals With and Without Intellectual Disabilities.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of age and intellectual disability (ID) on postural balance parameters, dual-task cost (DTC), and choice reaction time (CRT). Fifty-eight individuals with ID and 55 peers without ID performed a postural stance balance task under two conditions: a single task with eyes open and dual task involving an additional cognitive task (light sequence). Four postural balance parameters (total displacement, total sway area, mediolateral, and anteroposterior dispersion), cost of the dual task ([DTC%] = [(single-task performance - dual-task performance)/single-task performance] × 100), and CRT were recorded, calculated, and analyzed.

Employability skills, quality of life, and body composition on employment modalities in individuals with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities.

The inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities into the labour market is a challenge in advanced societies, with only a very reduced percentage of these individuals being able to access the free labour market. Whilst some progress has recently been made, there is still a need to further explore the different conditioning factors. A total of 125 users belonging to the three employment modalities of Occupational Workshops (OW), Occupational Centers (OC) and Supported Employment (SE), participated in this study.

Effect of the environmental factor of coexistence on the physical condition of people with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities.

Background: The main objective of this study was to compare the physical condition of people with intellectual disabilities living in residential homes (RH; restricted residential environment) versus independent homes (IH; family houses while performing paid work). The effect of gender on physical condition was also evaluated separately for each group.

Method: Sixty individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disability, 30 living in RH and 30 living in IH, participated in this study.