Feasibility of adapted basic life support training in adults with intellectual disabilities in Italy: a prospective pilot study
8 affiliations
- 1Service of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, “Vito Fazzi” Hospital, Piazzetta Muratore, 73100 Lecce, Italy
- 2Department of Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- 3Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
- 4Service of Internal Medicine, “G. Tatarella” Hospital, Cerignola, Italy
- 5Emergency Medical Service, Local Health Authority of Barletta-Andria-Trani (ASL BAT), Andria, Italy
- 6Service of Emergency Medicine and Surgery, “V. Emanuele II” Hospital, Bisceglie, Italy
- 7Service of Emergency Medicine and Surgery, “Mons. Dimiccoli” Hospital, Barletta, Italy
- 8Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
Abstract
Introduction: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a major public health challenge, with survival depending on rapid bystander intervention. Individuals with intellectual disabilities are frequently excluded from adult Basic Life Support (BLS) training, despite their potential role as lay rescuers. The main objective was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary educational impact of adapted BLS training in adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.
Methods: A prospective pilot feasibility study was conducted with 18 adults recruited through a community disability organization. Participants were classified using the extended Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR). Training followed the Italian Resuscitation Council methodology and was adapted to participants’ cognitive needs through simplified language, repeated demonstrations, visual reinforcement, and small-group hands-on practice. Knowledge was assessed before (T0) and after training (T1) using multiple-choice tests, while practical skills were evaluated through repeated in-session assessments conducted during the course. Practical skills included cardiac arrest recognition, chest compressions, defibrillation, and airway obstruction management, each scored on a standardized 0–2 scale.
Results: Participants (mean age 44.7 years; 56% women) were classified as CDR 0 (39%), CDR 0.5 (28%), and CDR 1 (33%). Knowledge improved across all CDR groups, with the proportion of correct answers increasing substantially after training; in CDR 0 participants, correct answers rose from 31% to 71% (p < 0.001). Early-session practical assessments showed high recognition of cardiac arrest (75%) and airway obstruction (100%), although execution of chest compressions and defibrillation was initially limited (12.5%). Repeated in-session practical assessments showed progressive improvement in chest compressions, defibrillation, and airway obstruction management, with final-session performance reaching 82–92% of participants achieving sufficient or higher skill levels. Satisfaction was high, with all participants reporting positive feedback.
Conclusion: Adapted BLS training is feasible and potentially effective in individuals with intellectual disabilities, supporting the feasibility of their inclusion in resuscitation education programs and suggesting a potential contribution to community preparedness.
Trial registration: Protocol no. 14/2018, approval date 15 January 2018.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-026-01702-9.
Related
- Feasibility and Preliminary Effectiveness of a Health and Wellbeing Intervention for Adults With Mild to Moderate Intellectual Disabilities.
- Psychologists' knowledge, attitudes, and training experiences regarding mental illness in individuals with intellectual disabilities in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.
- From Learning to Practice: Support Workers' Experiences With the TRAIN-ID Training Programme to Strengthen Health Support for People With Intellectual Disabilities.
- A Family-Inclusive, Visually Supported Sexual Abuse Prevention Intervention for Children with Moderate Intellectual Disabilities
- From exclusion to later life: residential care trajectories of ageing people with intellectual disabilities in Chile
BibTeX
@article{giaccari2026feasibility,
title = {{Feasibility of adapted basic life support training in adults with intellectual disabilities in Italy: a prospective pilot study}},
author = {Luca Gregorio Giaccari and Gaetano Tammaro and Michele Massaro and Ferdinando Pio Clarizio and Emanuele Calvi and Carlo Alboreo and Donato Iccobene and Nicola Dargenio and Luciana Mascia and Vincenzo Pota and Maria Caterina Pace and Pasquale Sansone},
journal = {BMC Emergency Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12873-026-01702-9},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-026-01702-9},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Feasibility of adapted basic life support training in adults with intellectual disabilities in Italy: a prospective pilot study
AU - Luca Gregorio Giaccari
AU - Gaetano Tammaro
AU - Michele Massaro
AU - Ferdinando Pio Clarizio
AU - Emanuele Calvi
AU - Carlo Alboreo
AU - Donato Iccobene
AU - Nicola Dargenio
AU - Luciana Mascia
AU - Vincenzo Pota
AU - Maria Caterina Pace
AU - Pasquale Sansone
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/29
JO - BMC Emergency Medicine
DO - 10.1186/s12873-026-01702-9
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-026-01702-9
AB - Introduction: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a major public health challenge, with survival depending on rapid bystander intervention. Individuals with intellectual disabilities are frequently excluded from adult Basic Life Support (BLS) training, despite their potential role as lay rescuers. The main objective was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary educational impact of adapted BLS training in adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Methods: A prospective pilot feasibility study was conducted with 18 adults recruited through a community disability organization. Participants were classified using the extended Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR). Training followed the Italian Resuscitation Council methodology and was adapted to participants’ cognitive needs through simplified language, repeated demonstrations, visual reinforcement, and small-group hands-on practice. Knowledge was assessed before (T0) and after training (T1) using multiple-choice tests, while practical skills were evaluated through repeated in-session assessments conducted during the course. Practical skills included cardiac arrest recognition, chest compressions, defibrillation, and airway obstruction management, each scored on a standardized 0–2 scale. Results: Participants (mean age 44.7 years; 56% women) were classified as CDR 0 (39%), CDR 0.5 (28%), and CDR 1 (33%). Knowledge improved across all CDR groups, with the proportion of correct answers increasing substantially after training; in CDR 0 participants, correct answers rose from 31% to 71% (p < 0.001). Early-session practical assessments showed high recognition of cardiac arrest (75%) and airway obstruction (100%), although execution of chest compressions and defibrillation was initially limited (12.5%). Repeated in-session practical assessments showed progressive improvement in chest compressions, defibrillation, and airway obstruction management, with final-session performance reaching 82–92% of participants achieving sufficient or higher skill levels. Satisfaction was high, with all participants reporting positive feedback. Conclusion: Adapted BLS training is feasible and potentially effective in individuals with intellectual disabilities, supporting the feasibility of their inclusion in resuscitation education programs and suggesting a potential contribution to community preparedness. Trial registration: Protocol no. 14/2018, approval date 15 January 2018. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-026-01702-9.
SN - 1471-227X
ER -