Games for Health Journal最新文献

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a 4-week "BikeRacer-Multitasking" computer-based training program on various outcomes, such as multitasking ability, and performance in complex situations on a bicycle exercise course, in comparison with two active control groups. Materials and Methods: Randomized controlled study including 56 participants aged 65 years or older. The intervention group (IG) performed 4 weeks of training with the BikeRacer-Multitasking computer game, in which two tasks had to be carried out at the same time: steering a bicycle on a given path, reacting to a target stimulus as quickly as possible, and ignoring three further distractor stimuli. The first control group (CG1) trained with a version of the BikeRacer game without the multitasking component, and the second control group (CG2) played Sudoku. All three groups performed questionnaire-based psychometric performance tests and tasks on a real-life bicycle exercise course twice, before and after the intervention. Results: Processing speed improved significantly over time in all three groups. Selective attention (correct answers) significantly improved in the IG and CG1, but not in CG2 (P = 0.022 for the interaction). Multitasking ability and divided attention significantly improved in IG, decreased in CG1, and showed no change in CG2 (P = 0.005 for the interaction). All three groups showed significantly better performances in some of the multitasking components in the bicycle course after the training compared with before (no significant group interaction). Conclusion: BikeRacer-Multitasking game increased the multitasking ability of senior cyclists as well as their performance in complex situations of a bicycle exercise course.

Background: Persistent pain affects many middle-aged and older patients with ovarian cancer. Serious games offer non-pharmacological relief, but their effectiveness and immersion monitoring in this population remain underexplored. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a biofeedback-driven serious game with dynamic difficulty in reducing pain and enhancing immersion. Methods: A two-arm, single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted with 52 participants randomized into an intervention group (biofeedback-driven dynamic-difficulty game) or a control group (fixed-difficulty game). Both groups engaged in a 15-minute gameplay session. The primary outcome was pain intensity, where the secondary outcomes were pain-related anxiety, immersion level, and user experience. Results: Both groups showed significant reductions in pain intensity and pain-related anxiety from baseline (p < 0.05). No significant between-group differences were observed in these outcomes. The intervention group, however, exhibited a significantly higher average immersion level compared to the control group (p < 0.01; d = 1.08; β = 0.11 [-0.38, 0.60]) . Participants in the intervention group also rated the game as more innovative, interesting, supportive, efficient, and exciting, though slightly more difficult to use. Conclusion: The biofeedback-based serious game effectively enhances immersion and may support pain and anxiety reduction in older ovarian cancer patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Nintendo Switch videogames in promoting the rehabilitation of institutionalized older adults. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study with a control group followed Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines to ensure methodological quality. The study included 27 institutionalized older adults aged 60 or over at risk of falling, with a Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) score of 19-28 points. The sample was divided into two groups: an intervention group with 14 participants and a control group with 13. An 8-week rehabilitation program was implemented, consisting of two weekly 60-minute sessions using Nintendo Switch Sport games. Each session included warming up and stretching. The instruments used were the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), POMA, Katz Index, Geriatric Depression Scale 15, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: The sample was made up of 18.5% men and 81.5% women. Significant improvements in dynamic and static balance (POMA, P < 0.001), cognitive status (MoCA, P < 0.01), and independence (Katz, P < 0.05) were observed in the experimental group. Statistically significant differences were found between groups for MoCA (P < 0.05) and STAI (P < 0.05) at baseline and for Katz (P < 0.01) and STAI (P < 0.05) after the intervention. Conclusion: The Nintendo Switch has proven effective in rehabilitating older adults and promoting active and healthy aging. Implementing exergames can improve balance, independence, and cognitive ability in older adult residents of nursing homes. Supervision by health care professionals is crucial to ensure safety and maximize therapeutic benefits.

Serious games have been integrated into health care, but their effectiveness in enhancing memory among old adults is not yet unanimously determined. This study aimed to analyze the effect of serious games on memory improvement in older adults without obvious cognitive impairment. We searched six electronic databases. All eligible randomized controlled trials were assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the effect size using the standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 18 studies were included in the systematic review and 16 were in the meta-analysis. Serious games had a significant effect on memory (SMD = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.22-0.47; P < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, serious games were categorized into two types: cognitive training games (SMD = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.26-0.58; P < 0.001) and exergames (SMD = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.01-0.43; P = 0.04). Memory was categorized into three types: visuospatial working memory (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.54-1.00; P < 0.001), verbal memory (SMD = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.08-0.61; P = 0.01), and working memory (SMD = 0.09, 95% CI: -0.09 to 0.27; P = 0.35). There were two types of control groups: the blank control (SMD = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.15-0.54; P < 0.001) and the active control (SMD = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.18-0.51; P < 0.001). Serious games can improve memory among older adults without obvious cognitive impairment, with varying effects on different memory types.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effects of modern board games (MBG) on executive functions, quality of life, and volitional behaviors in elderly individuals residing in nursing homes. Methods: A 12-week randomized controlled trial was conducted in a nursing home with 30 participants (age = 83.2 years). Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EG; n = 16) or the control group (CG; n = 14). The EG engaged in twice-weekly MBG sessions facilitated by trained professionals, while the CG continued with their usual activities without additional interventions. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG-R) and the Test of the Paths (TESEN). Quality of life was evaluated using the FUMAT scale, and volitional behaviors were measured using the Volitional Questionnaire. Results: The EG demonstrated significant improvements in executive functions, including comprehension (9.9%, P < 0.05), remote memory (22.6%, P < 0.05), and attention and calculation (83.3%, P < 0.05), as measured by the CAMCOG-R. No significant changes were observed in the TESEN test. The EG also showed significant gains in quality of life, with improvements in emotional well-being (5.0%, P < 0.01), interpersonal relationships (15.4%, P < 0.05), personal development (7.5%, P < 0.001), and social inclusion (6.3%, P < 0.001) on the FUMAT scale. Volitional behaviors, particularly competence (7.1%, P < 0.05), also improved significantly in the EG. Conclusion: MBG offer a promising nonpharmacological intervention to enhance executive functions, quality of life, and volitional behaviors in elderly individuals in nursing homes. The structured facilitation of these games, tailored to participants' cognitive levels, may support cognitive stimulation and foster social engagement in this population.

Objective: Pain, decreased muscle strength, regression in activities of daily living (ADL), narrowing of joint range of motion (ROM), impairment of proprioceptive sense, and deterioration in static-dynamic balance are frequently observed in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The aim of this study is to examine the effect of nonimmersive virtual reality (NIVR) application on muscle excitability and motor neuron pool activation level around the knee, balance, proprioception, physical function level, independence levels in ADL, muscle endurance, and patient satisfaction in patients with KOA. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with KOA were randomized to an experimental group (EG; n = 20) and a sham-controlled group (SG; n = 20). The EG received 45 minutes of traditional physiotherapy and 30 minutes of NIVR-based exercises for 3 weeks, 5 days a week, while the SG received traditional physiotherapy and a sham virtual reality (VR) application for 30 minutes for the same period. Primary outcomes were muscle excitability (maximal voluntary contraction [MVC]), motor neuron pool activation level, and balance. Secondary outcomes included proprioception, endurance, independence in ADL, pain level, physical functional condition (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index [WOMAC]), and treatment satisfaction. Results: Findings showed a significant difference in endurance, pain level, and independence in ADL scores in favor of the EG (all values, P < 0.05). Moreover, WOMAC, static and dynamic balance (differences timed up and go [TUG]: EG: -4.75, SG: -2.10, P = 0.02, d = 0.907), MVC, and proprioception scores also showed the highest differences (most values, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Nonimmersive VR applications are a feasible approach for KOA and are effective approaches for increasing muscle excitability, static and dynamic balance, muscle endurance, proprioception, independence in ADL, treatment satisfaction, and reducing pain intensity in KOA.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of serious game, exergame, and structured exercises in pes planus rehabilitation. Methods: Sixty-nine individuals with pes planus were included in this study. Individuals were randomly divided into three groups: a structured exercise group (SEG), an exergame group (EGG), and a serious game group (SGG). The average age of the participants was 21.02, and their body mass index was 21.91 kg/m². Interventions were performed three times a week for 6 weeks. Navicular drop, plantar pressure analysis, femoral anteversion, balance, and muscle strength were evaluated pre- and post-treatment. A small effect size of 0.2 was applied for navicular drop, balance, and plantar pressure analysis, and a medium effect size of 0.5 for femoral anteversion and muscle strength analysis. Results: Navicular drop and muscle strength improved significantly in all groups (P < 0.05). The strength of the inverter, plantar flexor, and dorsiflexor muscles was found to be significantly greater in the SGG than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Balance showed significant improvement only in EGG and SGG (P < 0.05). The decrease in medial plantar pressure was found to be significant in both feet in SGG and only in the left foot in the SEG (P < 0.05). The subtalar angle improved significantly in both feet in the SGG and only in the right foot in the SEG (P < 0.05). No significant change was observed in the EGG (P > 0.05). Femoral anteversion did not change in any of the three groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Individuals with pes planus obtained more improvements in plantar pressure analysis, subtalar angle, and muscle strength after serious games rather than structured exercises and exergame. It was considered that serious game exercise programs would be used in pes planus.

Introduction: Virtual reality (VR) offers a multidimensional simulated reality built with digital formats and can be characterized as semi-immersive (single projection screen) or fully-immersive (head-mounted display). Although VR is an emerging intervention for the rehabilitation of individuals with neurological disorders, research on fully-immersive technologies and the patient experience is limited. Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and tolerability of using off-the-shelf, fully-immersive VR with adults following neurological impairment. Methods: Mixed-methods study including 18 participants with a mean standard deviation (SD) age of 67.11 (12.12) years, asked to complete 20 minutes of dynamic rhythm-based VR activity in sitting. Outcomes included the pre- and postactivity VR Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ), physiological data (maximum heart rate and Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion [RPE]), the User Satisfaction Evaluation Questionnaire (USEQ), and a structured interview. Quantitative analysis consisted of descriptive and inferential statistics. VRSQ scores were compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Qualitative analysis consisted of thematic analysis of interviews. Results: Median interquartile range (IQR) pre- and postactivity VRSQ scores were 7.50 (0-19.58) and 7.92 (0-19.38), respectively. Differences in scores were not statistically significant (Z = 0, P = 1.00). The median USEQ score was 27.50 (25.00-28.25). The mean percentage of maximal heart rate achieved was 63 (10) %, with a median RPE score of 10.50 (8.25-12.75). Qualitative analysis revealed themes of enjoyment and beneficial therapeutic challenges as facilitators of VR use. Conclusion: A single session of fully-immersive off-the-shelf VR yielded promising integrated findings related to the feasibility, acceptability, and tolerability of this type of intervention for a sample of individuals with a variety of neurological conditions.

Purpose: Despite increasing research on blind and visually impaired (BVI) gamers, little is known about their motivations, gaming time, and the social benefits of online games. This study investigated gaming motivation and gaming time of BVI players, as well as their associations with well-being, using a popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) as an example. It also examined the relationships between different types of visual impairments, gaming motivation, time, and well-being. Methods: Based on a review of existing literature on the potential effects of online games on people with BVI, this study used a mixed-methods approach. Semi-structured interviews with 21 participants were conducted to gather in-depth qualitative insights. Questionnaires were administered to a total sample of 209 participants, both online and offline, to collect quantitative data. Results: A motivation scale specific to BVI gamers in MMORPG was developed and validated. Six motivations were identified and verified: fun, relationship initiation, relationship maintenance, venting emotions, killing time, and achievement. Fun and killing time positively predicted well-being, whereas venting emotions and relationship maintenance negatively predicted well-being. Total gaming time was positively associated with self-esteem. Totally blind and those with acquired impairments tend to spend more time on gaming, highlighting interesting nuances in gaming behaviors within the BVI community. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the relationship between online gaming and well-being of BVI individuals. These findings underscore the importance of further research and the development of inclusive gaming environments that enhance the well-being of BVI players.

This perspective explores the transformative impact of the Nintendo Wii on rehabilitation practices and the challenges arising from its discontinuation. The Wii's motion-sensing technology revolutionized rehabilitation by providing an engaging, low-cost and accessible platform for various patient populations. Its success catalysed the development of serious games and exergames specifically designed and adapted for therapeutic purposes. Research has demonstrated the Wii's efficacy in improving balance, motor function, and patient engagement across multiple conditions, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, and cerebral palsy. However, the Wii's discontinuation has created a significant void in the rehabilitation landscape, raising concerns about the sustainability of technology-driven therapies. This non-empirical paper examines the Wii's novelty, its influence on rehabilitation techniques, and the critical need for innovative solutions to address the gap left by its absence. We emphasize the importance of continued collaboration between the gaming and healthcare industries to develop accessible, affordable, and effective rehabilitation technologies that build upon the Wii's legacy.