Games for Health Journal最新文献

Objective: Following the initial measures taken to manage the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health conditions have become a critical concern. Mental health has become a foremost priority not only for health care providers but also for many other organizations, such as educational institutions, companies, and government agencies. A significant proportion of the Australian population having experienced mental disorders highlights the need for effective interventions. Those with pre-existing mental health issues experienced particularly pronounced effects. Among these challenges, advancements in technology offer new possibilities for mental health support. Videogames have shown effectiveness in mitigating symptoms of depression. Previous research has shown that game interface preferences correlate with players' emotional responses. This study aims to use MoodJumper, a game we designed, developed, and evaluated to examine the choice of game preferences in individuals with depressive symptoms. Materials and Methods: A pilot study was carried out after obtaining the Human Ethics committee's approval (n = 20). The participants were asked to fill out a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) questionnaire. They then played with the MoodJumper game for 20-30 minutes. Upon completing the game session, they were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their experience. Results: The results indicate a nonsignificant correlation between music preference, the direction of movement, and depressive symptoms meaning no significant relationship was found between depressive symptoms and chosen settings. However, a significant negative correlation was found between decision-making ability regarding game preferences and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores showing the difficulty of choosing preferred settings when having depressive symptoms. Conclusion: This contribution paves the way for designing and evaluating more impactful game experiences for individuals with mental health challenges.

Objective: Falling is considered one of the major problems that may affect the elderly, leading to multiple health issues. Walking adaptability to environmental demands is essential for safe walking in the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) treadmill training on balance performance and the risk of falls in the elderly. Materials and Methods: Sixty Saudi elderly individuals of both genders, aged between 60 and 70 years, participated in the study. The participants were categorized into two groups: the experimental and the control groups. Both groups received 1 hour of training: 30 minutes of conventional exercises and 30 minutes of gait training on the C-Mill VR/AR treadmill. The experimental group used the C-Mill treadmill with VR and AR games therapy. The control group had gait training on the C-Mill treadmill without VR and AR. The training for both groups was conducted for 6 successive weeks/three times a week. The changes in the scores of the following variables were recorded at baseline, after 6 weeks of training, and 4 weeks after the completion of training. These variables involved the time needed for completing the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, overall stability indices of the Fall Risk (FR) test and Limit of Stability (LOS) test evaluated using the Biodex Balance System (BBS), and the time required for completing the LOS test. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in all measured variables immediately post-training, and this improvement persisted for 4 weeks after completing the training. The experimental group exhibited greater improvement in the recorded values of all measured variables compared with the control group following the training. Conclusions: This study concluded that C-Mill VR/AR treadmill training is effective in improving balance control and reducing the fall risk in the elderly.

Virtual reality (VR) technology has experienced a steady rise and has been widely applied in the field of rehabilitation. The integration of VR technology in rehabilitation has shown promising results in enhancing their motivation for treatment, thereby enabling patients to actively engage in rehab training. Despite the advancement, there is a dearth of comprehensive summary and analysis on the use of VR technology to enhance patient motivation in rehabilitation. Thus, this narrative review aims to evaluate the potential of VR technology in enhancing patient motivation during motor rehabilitation training. This review commences with an explanation of how enhancing motivation through the VR rehabilitation system could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of rehabilitation training. Then, the technology was analyzed to improve patient motivation in the present VR rehabilitation system in detail. Furthermore, these technologies are classified and summarized to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art approaches for enhancing patient motivation in VR rehabilitation. Findings showed VR rehabilitation training utilizes game-like exercises to enhance the engagement and enjoyment of rehabilitation training. By immersing patients in a simulated environment with multisensory feedback, VR systems offer a unique approach to rehabilitation that can lead to improved patient motivation. Both ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes, which is not typically achievable with traditional rehabilitation methods. The review concludes that VR rehabilitation presents an opportunity to improve patient motivation and adherence to long-term rehabilitation training. However, to further enhance patient self-efficacy, VR rehabilitation should integrate psychology and incorporate methods. Moreover, it is necessary to build a game design theory for rehabilitation games, and the latest VR feedback technology should also be introduced.

Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of video-based exercises added to conventional physiotherapy (CPT) on upper extremity functionality, selective motor control, and proprioception in individuals with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with UCP were randomized into two groups: the intervention group (15 individuals with a mean age of 9.2 ± 3.8 years) and the control group (15 individuals with a mean age of 8.3 ± 4.1 years). The intervention group received 8 weeks of video-based exercises, and the control group received 8 weeks of conventional physiotherapy. Upper extremity functional abilities, upper extremity selective motor control, proprioception, and entertainment levels were evaluated before and after the intervention for all groups. Results: While a significant change was observed in the mean scores of the ABILHAND-Kids, Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale right-left scores, shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, and elbow flexion proprioception angles after the video-based exercises in the intervention group (P < 0.05), a significant change was observed only in the 60-degree flexion angle in the control group (P = 0.001). In the comparison between the groups, there were significant differences in post-intervention value only in shoulder flexion and abduction angles, whereas there was no difference between the groups in elbow flexion angles (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Incorporating video-based exercises into the upper extremity rehabilitation processes of individuals with UCP is beneficial in terms of upper extremity functionality, selective motor control, and proprioception.

Objective: Several health games have been developed for pediatric patients in recent years but few for children with atopic dermatitis (AD). As this chronic disease requires changes in daily habits, this study aimed to develop and validate the content of a board health game for children with AD. Material and Methods: This is a content development and validation study of Dermatrilha^TM, a board health game about AD. The instrument aims to promote interactions between children with AD and health care providers and offers the exchange of experiences, feelings, and knowledge about the disease in a playful way. The five stages of development of the board game were (a) planning, (b) development, (c) preparation of content validation questionnaires, (d) evaluation by a committee of experts, and (e) pretest with the target audience. Results: The expert committee group consisted of 20 professionals: 5 physicians specialized in pediatric dermatology, 5 psychologists specialized in health psychology, 5 designers with experience in illustration, and 5 early childhood educators. The target audience consisted of 25 children aged 7-12 years with AD. The evaluation of the expert committee found 0.95 in the general content validity index and 0.92 in the target audience, thus exceeding 0.80 in all items. Conclusion: The board health game Dermatrilha has proven to be a psychoeducational tool for the therapeutic education of children with AD, enabling the exchange of experiences, feelings, and knowledge about the disease among peers and health care providers.

Purpose: Although the health benefits of behavioral interventions for older adults are well studied, research focused on intervention acceptability in older adult populations is less established and is needed. This mixed methods study investigated older adults' perceptions of training interventions. Methods: Community-dwelling older adults (N = 41) were randomized into three groups (cognitive, physical, and exergame) and completed 20 in-lab training sessions over 10 weeks. At every fifth session, participants provided feedback on their perceived gains across functional domains, enjoyment of and motivation to complete training, and aspects they most and least enjoyed regarding study participation. Results: Based on the multivariate analysis of variance, perceived cognitive and everyday function gains did not vary by training group. However, physical and exergame groups perceived greater improvement in physical function than the cognitive training group (P < 0.001). Enjoyment of and motivation to complete training did not vary by training group. Exploratory qualitative coding results suggest that participants across groups most enjoyed social interaction and feelings of improvement. Participants least enjoyed traveling to the study site and engaging in aspects of training (e.g., specific games, structure or duration of training). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of incorporating meaningful social engagement and balancing the challenge of training components with goal attainment when working with older adults, regardless of the intervention type. Future research and practice should consider salient aspects of the participant experience (e.g., social connection, accessible locations or remote options) when designing interventions for older adults.

Background: The social restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted traditional teaching methods and encouraged the development of innovative and safer approaches based on distance learning. Among these novel techniques, digital game-based learning (DGBL) is a method that facilitates learning through the efficient use of interactive software tailored to the user. Methods: In this work, we investigated the effectiveness of the DGBL methodology for remote training using a game-based digital learning software designed about remote neonatal resuscitation. The DGBL approach was validated in 52 anesthesiologist trainees and compared to a homogenous retrospective control group of pediatric trainees with the same prior knowledge, who followed an in-person training course using the digital serious game. Scores obtained during each game session are recorded and used to assess progress in knowledge of the flowchart, decision time, timing of assisted ventilation, and ability to check equipment. Results: The results confirmed the effectiveness of the remote training mode for each of the analyzed features, whereas no statistically significant advantages of using a supervised DGBL were found. Conclusion: In conclusion, the DGBL remote training approach is a valuable tool that can provide users with an interactive, effective, and enjoyable learning experience. Future developments will concern the implementation of multiplayer versions to stimulate interaction between users for the development of inter-professional and teamwork skills.

Background: Preclinical studies suggested the exposure to environmental enrichment (EE) as an intervention able to prevent or reduce nicotine-taking and nicotine-seeking behaviors. Virtual reality (VR) may help to test the effects of EE in smokers in a reproducible and feasible manner. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 31 smokers (14 women) were divided into two groups: (1) exposure to a virtual EE (VR-EE) and (2) exposure to a virtual neutral environment (VR-NoEE). Cigarette craving was assessed as basal and evoked, at different timepoints during the session. Behavior activity during VR exposure, mood, and subjective measures were also collected. Results: EE exposure in VR significantly reduced craving scores from basal timepoint. This was not observed in the VR-NoEE group, which significantly increased craving compared with values at neutral scenario. When both groups were exposed to smoking-related VR scenario, the VR-EE group showed an increased craving compared with previous timepoint up to score values not different from those in the VR-NoEE group. A significant positive correlation between basal craving scores and interactive behavior with virtual smoking cues was observed in the VR-NoEE but not in the VR-EE group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that virtual EE might have an inhibitory effect in smokers on basal, but not on evoked cigarette craving. Noteworthily, the interactive activity correlation to craving scores in the VR-NoEE participants was not observed in the VR-EE group, adding further evidence that the enrichment simulation was nonetheless able to modify behavior in the smoking-related scenario.

The "red potion," inspired by video games, emulates the health point replenishment mechanism for injured game characters. Conversely, red ginger, known for its potential tonic properties in enhancing cardiovascular endurance, poses challenges in acquisition within specific regions. Several previous studies have highlighted the existence of an inseparable link when gamers are engaged in real-world activities, even without actively playing the game in the virtual world. This suggests the potential for the "red potion" concept to enhance the well-being of gamers in reality. A statistical ANOVA experiment involved 90 participants, all avid gamers, categorized into three groups: basic, placebo, and experimental. The basic group (BG) received a red-colored beverage without red ginger infusion or the 'red potion' concept. In contrast, the placebo group (PG) received a similar beverage described as a "red potion" but without red ginger. Lastly, the experimental group (EG) received a red ginger-infused beverage without the "red potion" concept. Despite receiving different treatments, all beverages were presented in the same red color. Participants underwent the "beep test" to assess their baseline stamina. The results revealed that both PG and EG exhibited comparable cardiovascular endurance, affirming the potential of the "red potion" concept to positively influence gamers.

Objective: Nursing students are among the groups where gamification applications are used effectively and frequently in educational technologies. This study aimed to adapt the Gameful Experience Scale (GAMEX) to the Turkish language and test its validity and reliability. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 620 nursing students studying an undergraduate nursing program between March and May, 2023. Data were collected using a personal information form and GAMEX-Turkish Form. Results: The validity and reliability of the five-factor structure scale with 27 items were confirmed. In confirmatory factor analysis, all factor loads were found to be >0.56. The fit indexes of the scale were χ²/df = 2.8, goodnessof-fit index = 0.90, comparative fit index = 0.94, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.55. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the overall scale was 0.89. Conclusion: As a result of this study, the Turkish version of GAMEX was found to be a valid and reliable tool that can be used to evaluate the game experience in nursing students' training.