Better Ways to Measure Health and Activity for Adults with Down Syndrome Using Mobile Devices

Improving Body Composition Assessment and Physical Activity Monitoring in Adults with Down Syndrome using Mobile Technology

['FUNDING_R21'] · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11146474

This project aims to find easier and more comfortable ways to measure body health and physical activity for adults with Down syndrome using mobile and wearable devices.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R21']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorOHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11146474 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Adults with Down syndrome are more likely to experience obesity, which can lead to serious health issues like heart disease and type II diabetes. Traditional methods for checking body health, like special scans, can be uncomfortable or even frightening for some individuals with Down syndrome, making it hard to get accurate information. This project explores using wearable technology, like smartwatches or other mobile devices, to measure body composition and physical activity in a more relaxed and familiar setting. Our goal is to make these health checks less stressful and more accessible, so we can better support the health of adults with Down syndrome.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be adults aged 21 and older who have Down syndrome.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have Down syndrome or are not adults would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more comfortable and accurate ways for adults with Down syndrome to monitor their health, potentially helping to prevent or manage conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

How similar studies have performed: While wearable technology is emerging for health tracking, this specific application to improve body composition and physical activity measurement for adults with Down syndrome is being explored as a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Columbus, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.