Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR
-
J Intellect Disabil Res · Oct 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialGeneral practitioners' views on perceived and actual gains, benefits and barriers associated with the implementation of an Australian health assessment for people with intellectual disability.
Health assessments for people with intellectual disability have been implemented in the UK, New Zealand and Australia, and have led to improved health outcomes. The Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP) has been shown to improve the health of people with intellectual disability. Similar to other health assessments, it is designed to address healthcare needs, many of which are often overlooked in this population, through better communication between the general practitioner (GP), support worker and the person with intellectual disability. This study investigates GP views of the perceived and actual benefits, gains and barriers associated with its uptake and use in practice. ⋯ GPs perceive the CHAP as a structured and comprehensive approach to the detection of medical problems as well as an aid in overcoming communication barriers between the doctor and the person with disability. Our findings suggest that some GPs may find it difficult to predict the benefits of using health assessments such as the CHAP. Achieving optimal uptake is likely to require attention at policy and systems levels to address: GP time constraints in providing healthcare to this population; enhancement of support worker training and organisational structures to encourage comprehensive health assessment and follow-up activities; and GP awareness of the improved health outcomes shown to derive from the use of comprehensive health assessments.
-
J Intellect Disabil Res · Jan 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialMelatonin decreases daytime challenging behaviour in persons with intellectual disability and chronic insomnia.
Persons with intellectual disability (ID) and sleep problems exhibit more daytime challenging behaviours than persons with ID without sleep problems. Several anecdotal reports suggest that melatonin is not only effective in the treatment of insomnia, but also decreases daytime challenging behaviour. However, the effect of melatonin treatment on daytime challenging behaviour in persons with ID has not been investigated in a randomised controlled trial. ⋯ Melatonin treatment in persons with ID and chronic insomnia decreases daytime challenging behaviour, probably by improving sleep maintenance or by improving circadian melatonin rhythmicity.
-
J Intellect Disabil Res · Jul 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyThe treatment of challenging behaviour in intellectual disabilities: cost-effectiveness analysis.
Antipsychotic drugs are used in the routine treatment of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and challenging behaviour in the UK despite limited evidence of their effectiveness. There is no evidence on their cost-effectiveness. ⋯ The treatment of challenging behaviour in ID with antipsychotic drugs is not a cost-effective option.
-
J Intellect Disabil Res · Mar 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialMelatonin treatment in individuals with intellectual disability and chronic insomnia: a randomized placebo-controlled study.
While several small-number or open-label studies suggest that melatonin improves sleep in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) with chronic sleep disturbance, a larger randomized control trial is necessary to validate these promising results. ⋯ Melatonin treatment improves some aspects of chronic sleep disturbance in individuals with ID.