Feasibility of bioelectrical impedance analysis in persons with severe intellectual and visual disabilities

Background: Body composition measurements provide importanti nformation about physical fitness and nutritional status. People with severe intellectual and visual disabilities (SIVD) have an increased risk for altered body composition. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been evidenced as a reliable and non-invasive method to assess body composition in healthy persons and various patient populations; however, currently, there is no feasible method available to determine body composition in people with SIVD.In this study, therefore, we aimed to assess the feasibility of BIA measurements in persons with SIVD. Methods: In 33 participants with SIVD and Gross Motor Functioning Classification System (GMFCS) Scale I, II, III, or IV, two BIA measurements were sequentially performed employing Resistance and Reactance in Ohm and fat-free mass (FFM) in kg as outcome variables, utilizing the Bodystat QuadScan 4000. Feasibility was considered sufficient if >=80% of the first measurement was performed successfully. Agreement between two repeated measurements was determined by using the paired t-test and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC; two way random, absolute agreement). Bland–Altman analyses were utilized to determine limits of agreement (LOAs) and systematic error. Agreement was considered acceptable if LOAs were <10% of the mean of the first measurement.