Exergames-based intervention for assisted living residents: a pilot study

Using exergame-based exercise to prevent and postpone the loss of muscle mass, muscle strength, cognition, and functional performance among elders in rural long-term care facilities: A protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Objective

Elderly individuals in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) have a higher prevalence of sarcopenia than those in the community. Exercise is the gold standard for preventing and treating sarcopenia. Regarding exercise, multicomponent exercises, including progressive resistance training (PRT), are beneficial. However, developing routine, structured exercise programs for the elderly in LTCFs is difficult because of a shortage of healthcare providers, particularly in rural regions. Exergame-based exercises can increase a player's motivation and reduce staff time for an intervention. Nintendo Switch RingFit Adventure (RFA) is a novel exergame that combines resistance, aerobic, and balance exercises. In this study, we aim to investigate the clinical effectiveness of RFA on muscle and functional performance parameters among the elderly in LTCFs.

Methods

The EXPPLORE (using EXergame to Prevent and Postpone the LOss of muscle mass, muscle strength, and functional performance in Rural Elders) trial is a single-center randomized controlled trial involving elderly individuals (≥60 years) living in LTCFs in rural southern Taiwan. The participants will be equally randomized to the intervention group (exergame-based exercise plus standard care) or the control group (standard care alone). Both groups will receive standard care except that the intervention group will receive exergame-based exercises at the time previously scheduled for sedentary activities in the LTCFs. The exergame-based exercise will be performed using RFA in the sitting position with a specialized design, including arm fit skills and knee assist mode. Each session of the exercise lasts 30 mins and will be performed two times per week for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes will be the osteoporotic fracture index, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, dominant handgrip strength, and gait speed. Meanwhile, the secondary outcomes will be the dexterity and agility, muscle strength and thickness, range of motion of the joints of the dominant upper extremity, Kihon checklist, Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and Brain Health Test.

Discussion

This trial will provide valuable knowledge on whether exergames using RFA can counteract physical decline and improve quality of life and cognition among the elderly in LTCFs.

Clinical trial registration

[www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05360667].

VR exergame interventions among older adults living in long-term care facilities: A systematic review with Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To improve the motivation toward exercise in older adults, exergames have shifted from entertainment to rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVES

To review the training focus of exergames and analyze the effectiveness of exergame training on physical, psychological, or cognitive outcomes among older adults in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

METHODS

This review followed the PRISMA guidelines. By searching 7 electronic databases up to April 30, 2022, studies were included if they 1) involved adults ≥65 years old residing in LTCFs, 2) were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with virtual reality-based exergames as the intervention, 3) compared the effects of exergames to usual care or conventional exercises, and 4) reported physical, psychological, or cognitive outcomes. The Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for randomized trials version 2 (RoB 2) and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) were used to evaluate the methodological quality of studies and levels of evidence for outcomes. The meta-analysis was conducted with Review Manager 5.4. Results are presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

A total of 12 RCTs were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. For overall methodological quality, 10 studies showed some concerns and 2 studies showed high risk. Levels of evidence for outcomes were assessed as low (n = 8) and very low (n = 4). The studies involved a total of 482 older adults. Most studies implemented balance exercise as the exergame intervention. Older adults who completed exergame interventions showed improvements in cognitive outcomes (SMD 0.90, 95%CI 0.61-1.19, p<0.001) and in balance self-efficacy (SMD 1.04, 95%CI 0.47-1.61, p<0.001) as compared with those in usual care. They also showed improvements in balance (SMD 0.49, 95%CI 0.20-0.78, p<0.001) as compared with those in conventional exercise programs. Overall, exergames had a positive effect on balance (SMD 0.62, 95%CI 0.29-0.95, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This review revealed that exergames can improve the balance ability of older adults in LTCFs.

Non-pharmacological Approaches to Depressed Elderly With No or Mild Cognitive Impairment in Long-Term Care Facilities. A Systematic Review of the Literature

Introduction: Compared to old people who live at home, depressive symptoms are more prevalent in those who live in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Different kinds of non-pharmacological treatment approaches in LTCFs have been studied, including behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapy, cognitive bibliotherapy, problem-solving therapy, brief psychodynamic therapy and life review/reminiscence. The aim of the current review was to systematically review non-pharmacological treatments used to treat depressed older adults with no or mild cognitive impairment (as described by a Mini Mental State Examination score > 20) living in LTCFs. Methods: A research was performed on PubMed and Scopus databases. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses (PRISMA) flowchart, studies selection was made. The quality of each Randomized Controlled Trial was scored using the Jadad scale, Quasi-Experimental Design studies and Non-Experimental studies were scored based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) Results: The review included 56 full text articles; according to the type of intervention, studies were grouped in the following areas: horticulture/gardening (n = 3), pet therapy (n = 4), physical exercise (n = 9), psychoeducation/rehabilitation (n = 15), psychotherapy (n = 3), reminiscence and story sharing (n = 14), miscellaneous (n = 8). Discussion and Conclusion: Despite mixed or negative findings in some cases, most studies included in this systematic review reported that the non-pharmacological interventions assessed were effective in the management of depressed elderly in the LTCFs context. Regrettably, the limitations and heterogeneity of the studies described above hinder the possibility to generalize and replicate results.

Assisted Living: Optimal Person-Environment Fit

Assisted living (AL) is a well-established alternative to nursing homes, promoting autonomy and choice in a residential environment. This article examines the opportunities that AL affords for older adults and areas for further research to optimize the fit between resident needs and the AL environment. The model of person-environment fit provides an organizing framework for our commentary. The environment of AL emphasizes choice, independence, and privacy. The acuity of health care needs in AL residents has evolved since its inception. Unlike earlier residents, many today live with multiple chronic conditions and need for functional supports. Regulated by states, there is high variability in oversight, staffing, and resources available in AL. Families play an important role in supporting residents, yet expectations for their engagement may not be clear. Descriptive research abounds but there is a need for more sophisticated approaches to understanding how the AL environment can provide optimal supports for older adults, across all states and across income and racial/ethnic groups. There are several methodological challenges to AL research, including the high variability among AL settings and across states, the lack of common data elements, and difficulty accessing representative samples. With the popularity of AL as an option, it will be important to continue to examine how this environment can evolve to meet the changing needs of the resident population, while balancing the elements of autonomy and affordability. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 14(1), 5-12.].

Exergames and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

To synthesize and critique studies that examined the impact of exergames on depressive symptoms in older adults. Articles were retrieved from the databases CINAHL, Embase, PsychINFO, and Medline. Studies were included in the review if they involved a physical activity/videogame intervention and measured outcomes of depressive symptoms in older adults. The search generated 957 articles for consideration, which were narrowed to 17 articles after applying exclusion criteria. In studies that required depressive symptoms as an inclusion criterion, there was an improvement in depressive symptoms in older adults following the exergame intervention. In studies that did not require depressive symptoms as an inclusion criterion, researchers found mixed results. Future older adult exergame research should measure depression as a primary outcome, utilize control groups with random sampling, consist of larger sample sizes, and include people with disabilities.

Gaming for Health: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Physical and Cognitive Effects of Active Computer Gaming in Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Active computer gaming (ACG) is a method of facilitating physical activity in older people to improve health outcomes.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to update and extend a systematic review of the evidence for ACG to determine its effects on physical and cognitive health in older adults.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL in the Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO databases were searched from the date of the previous review (2011) to May 2016.

STUDY SELECTION

Eligible articles were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of ACG in adults aged 65 and older.

DATA EXTRACTION

Thirty-five studies were eligible for inclusion. Two review authors independently conducted data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment, and coding of behavior change techniques. Outcomes of interest were analyzed as continuous data and pooled as standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to determine the quality of the evidence.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Behavior change techniques (N = 106) were coded in the included studies (mean = 3.02). Data were pooled for 5 main outcomes of interest. Significant moderate effects in favor of ACG were observed for balance (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.24 to 0.79; 17 studies; 743 participants), for functional exercise capacity when intervention delivery was >120 minutes per week (SMD = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.90; 5 studies; 116 participants), and for cognitive function (SMD = -0.48, 95% CI = -0.80 to 0.17; 8 studies; 459 participants). There was no significant effect observed for functional mobility or fear of falling.

LIMITATIONS

The quality of the evidence for all comparisons was graded low or very low.

CONCLUSIONS

At present there is very little confidence that ACG improves physical and cognitive outcomes in older adults.

[Information and communication technology and health of the elderly]

New technologies offer many advantages, especially in terms of animation in elderly care homes. Consoles and digital tablets used without any medical implication were the subject of a literature review on their impact on the health of the elderly..

Effects of using Nintendo Wii™ exergames in older adults: a review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review is to summarize and synthesize the impact of using the Nintendo Wii™ exergames in older adults.

METHOD

A database search was conducted to identify relevant studies. The search was limited to empirical studies, with particular attention paid to the effects of Wii exergames intervention on cognition, physical function, and psychosocial outcomes in older adults.

RESULTS

A total of 22 empirical studies met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Positive effects included improving physical function, decreasing depression, and increasing cognition and quality of life in older adults. Improved socialization and motivation to exercise were also reported.

DISCUSSION

Using Wii exergames does show promise as an intervention to improve physical function, cognition, and psychosocial outcomes in older adults. Evidence supports that Wii exergames is a safe and feasible tool to encourage older adults to engage in exercise.