Introduction: People with learning disabilities experience higher rates of injury compared to the general population, but little is known about the circumstances and perceived impact of these injuries on people with learning disabilities themselves. Method: Content analysis was conducted from interviews with 113 adults with learning disabilities who had at least one injury in a 12-month period. Qualitative interviews were conducted with ten adults with learning disabilities (and their carers where appropriate) who had experienced serious or frequent injury or frequent falls with or without injury in a 12-month period. Findings: The most commonly reported contributory factors for injuries and/or falls were related to physical health status (for example, epilepsy) and the environment (for example, walking/banging into furniture or stairs/steps). In terms of perceived impact, the development of fear of walking outdoors unsupported or fear of crossing a road were highlighted. The non-use and misuse of assistive technology was also highlighted as a concern. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that occupational therapists have a key role to play in tailoring injury and fall prevention strategies and interventions for people with learning disabilities. In particular, environmental assessment and monitored use of assistive technology is important.

Background: Between 26% and 52% of adults with intellectual disability experience urinary incontinence (UI). Little is known about the implications of urinary tract infections (UTIs) for this group. The aim was to screen for UTIs in a sample of adults with intellectual disability and UI.Method: Twenty adults with intellectual disability and UI recruited via community intellectual disability health care teams and provided a urine sample. Each sample was tested for the presence of UTI bacteria.Results: Half of the sample were found to have a possible or probable UTI. Nine adults had also been treated for a UTI within the previous 12 months; six adults had more than once.Conclusion: UTIs appear to be very common amongst adults with intellectual disability and UI, and careful attention to UTI symptoms, screening and treatment options for this group are recommended. Larger studies on UTI prevalence and associated factors are also warranted.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05626062

Background: Adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) experience high rates of falls and have high rates of gait or balance issues which contribute to falls. Lycra splinting garments (LSGs) have potential to improve gait or balance, but they have never before been tested with adults with IDs who fall due to gait or balance issues. The aim of this study was to test in adults with IDs, the feasibility of using LSGs to improve movement and function and reduce falls, whilst also exploring usability and likely compliance.Method: A convenience sample of nine adults with IDs wore tailored LSGs over a 6‐week assessment period. Laboratory‐based foot clearance, balance, and gait measures were collected pre‐ and post‐LSG‐wear. Falls charts and questionnaires on usability and likely compliance were also completed.Results: Seven participants experienced a reduction in falls during their six weeks of LSG wear; most notably in the group of five participants who wore lycra splinting socks, compared with only two in the group of four who wore lycra splinting shorts or leggings only.Conclusion: Lycra splinting socks are likely to bring about positive outcomes for adults with IDs who fall due to gait/balance issues on an individual case by case basis over time, but further research is required to test this hypothesis under randomised controlled trial conditions. Potential benefits of more intrusive LSGs are outweighed by reported problems with usability and compliance.