Games for Health Journal最新文献

Objectives: Intergenerational games offer a potential channel to impact parent-youth sexual health communication. The "Secret of Seven Stones" (SSS) is an 18-level online adventure game and parent website designed to engage parents and youth (11-14 years) in conversations about healthy dating relationships and sexual behavior and to provide sexual health skills training to youth. Study hypotheses were that SSS exposure would increase sexual health parent-child communication, increase youth intentions to delay sexual debut, and reduce youth exposure to situations that promote sexual activity. Materials and Methods: SSS was evaluated in the homes of parent-youth dyads randomly assigned to intervention (n = 40) and comparison (n = 45) conditions. Online surveys were used to collect baseline and three-month follow-up data on dyadic sexual health communication, determinants for communication and youth sexual behavior, and game usability ratings. Results: Dyads comprised parents (n = 83, 47% white, 93% female, 44.4 ± 5.8 years) and youth (n = 83, 42% white, 54% male, 12.9 ± 1.1 years, and 96% sexually inexperienced). Frequency of parent-youth sexual health communication and youth communication self-efficacy increased in those playing SSS compared with those in the comparison group (P < 0.01). Youth perceived parent-youth communication as more open and demonstrated significant improvement in condom and human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection knowledge and perceptions of parents' beliefs about sex (<0.001). Usability ratings were higher on ease, credibility, and helpfulness (all >78%) but lower on duration and appeal (<56%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the utility of an in-home intergenerational sexual health education game to impact parent-youth communication by short-term follow-up. Further investigation of longer-term behavioral impact is indicated.

Objective: To design a randomized controlled trial combining resistance exercise and cognitive intervention to carry out a dual-task computer-aided product design that combines hardware and software to explore the effects of different intensities of resistance exercise on cognitive function in elderly individuals with cognitive decline. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight participants (aged between 60 and 75 years) who satisfied the specified criteria were randomly assigned to one of four groups as follows: control (n = 12), low intensity (n = 12), medium intensity (n = 12), and high intensity (n = 12). The control group exclusively underwent cognitive training, whereas the experimental group underwent dual-task training at varying resistance exercise intensities. The main outcomes were short-term effects on cognitive function and lower limb strength using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), One-Rep Max (1RM) data, and training scores. The secondary outcomes were the effects of the participants' subjective fatigue and the system availability of the product. Results: The experimental group subjected to medium-intensity exercise exhibited the most substantial improvement in MoCA score (P = 0.017). All the groups achieved training scores that were substantially higher than the initial data (P < 0.05), and significant 1RM values were obtained for the left and right legs in the middle- and high-strength groups (P < 0.05). In addition, the participants indicated a positive experience with the application. Conclusions: Overall, we found support for the feasibility and acceptability of the product developed by dual-task therapy based on resistance exercise combined with cognitive intervention and showed the initial impact prospect of moderate-intensity resistance exercise. Future applications should be replicated in older individuals with Clinical trial registration: NCT06220565 Ethical approval: H2022013I decline.

The effectiveness of robot-assisted board games targeting older adults with mild cognitive impairment was investigated to improve their cognitive function, general self-efficacy, and life satisfaction and reduce depression. A quasiexperimental research design was adopted with 109 older adults from 8 long-term care facilities and day-care centers assigned to the experimental (n = 52) and comparison groups (n = 57). The experimental group underwent a 12-week cognitive training program. Both groups completed before-and-after and 3-month follow-up measurements for outcome variables, including cognitive function (scores of mini-mental state examination [MMSE] and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Subscale [ADAS-Cog]), depression, general self-efficacy, and life satisfaction. The data were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation (GEE). The program's usability was assessed using the system usability scale (SUS). The GEE analyses revealed significant postintervention improvements in the experimental group's MMSE, ADAS-Cog, depression, general self-efficacy, and satisfaction with life scores. These effects persisted for the 3-month follow-up. The mean SUS score was 87.50, indicating the feasibility of robot-assisted interventions among older adults. These findings confirmed that interactive robot-assisted board games can improve cognitive function, general self-efficacy, and life satisfaction and reduce depression among older adults. The administration of long-term care facilities or day-care centers can adopt robot-assisted board games as a training tool to supplement health promotion activities to prevent cognitive deterioration and enhance mental health among older adults.

Due to the exponential growth in technology, exergames emerged as a potential tool to foster physical activity (PA) levels. This study provides an overall view of the literature on the effects of exergaming on physical fitness components among overweight and obese children and adolescents. A systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Among the 618 articles identified at the first screening stage, 17 were retained for analysis. The results indicate positive effects of exergaming interventions in body composition outcomes, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and skills performance. Results from the randomized studies with the control group revealed significant effects of exergames in decreasing body mass index (mean difference = 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06 to 0.43, P = 0.01) and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness (Hedges's g = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.46, P = 0.00). Although not statistically significant, participants submitted to exergames interventions also showed decreased body weight compared to their control peers. The results emphasize the ability of exergames to enhance PA levels and physical fitness components, which might influence the health status of overweight and obese youth. However, due to the limited number of studies included in the meta-analysis (n = 4), future randomized controlled experiments are still needed to improve the understanding of the impact of exergames interventions on physical fitness.

Background: Physical training to improve balance in the elderly has shown excellent results, but maintaining consistent participation in such programs is challenging. Objective: To address this, a laterolateral balance simulation game controlled by a biaxial force platform was developed to support balance rehabilitation and encourage regular training. Method: The game was created using the Unity engine, with 3D models designed in Blender, including the "Relaxed Man Character" asset for the avatar. The player's objective is to maintain balance on a virtual board supported by a cylinder, controlled via the biaxial force platform. Validation involved structural tests, usability testing (System Usability Scale), and a pilot test with 10 healthy young volunteers. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Shapiro-Wilk and t-Student tests (P < 0.05) in Jamovi software. Results: Results indicated that the game performed as expected, and the usability test yielded an excellent score (81.5 points) from experts. The pilot test revealed that individualized calibration allowed for personalized training, with volunteers' scores improving by 17.6% in the second session of day 1, 26% in the first session of day 2, and 8.5% in the second session of day 2. Conclusion: The balance simulation effectively replicated the foot pressure movements needed to control an avatar on a virtual board. This personalized approach made the game accessible and easy to use for players. Future work will involve testing the game with the target elderly population, increasing the number of sessions, and analyzing muscle activation to fully determine the game's impact.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of technology-based rehabilitation on grip strength, functionality, and disease activity in rheumatic diseases with hand involvement, and to compare these effects with the effects of conventional hand rehabilitation and with a control group that continued routine life. Materials and Methods: The study included 45 patients, with a mean age of 52.24 ± 10.03 years, who were diagnosed with rheumatic disease involving the hand. The patients were randomized to an intervention group (n = 15), conventional group (n = 15), and control group (n = 15). A virtual reality (VR) application with a leap motion controller (LMC) device was applied to the intervention group and stretching and strengthening exercises were applied to the conventional exercise group twice a week for 8 weeks. Evaluations were made using the Disease Activity Score-28, dynamometer, pinch meter, Michigan hand outcome test, Duruöz Hand Index, Jebsen hand function test, and 9-hole peg test. Results: A significant difference was determined in favor of the LMC group in terms of the Jebsen Hand Function test, 9-hole peg test and grip strength after the intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion: For patients with rheumatic diseases with hand involvement, VR rehabilitation via LMC under the guidance of a physiotherapist has positive effects on the patients' grip strength and hand functions. Developing approaches that will maintain patients' motivation for exercise during the treatment process may help increase and maintain these effects.

Objective: Language learning through computer games has been suggested to enhance language abilities compared with traditional learning methods. Training in language skills may also improve self-control and reduce problematic behaviors in children and adolescents. We hypothesized that computer game-based language training could be more effective than classical language instruction. Furthermore, we propose that the enhanced language skills obtained through computer game language training could correspond with improvements in problematic behaviors within this group. Materials and Methods: This was an 8-week crossover trial consisting of 4 weeks of gaming rounds and 4 weeks of control rounds for two groups. Wise-Ax English is a casual digital game developed for English vocabulary education targeting Korean children. The game incorporates 500 English words selected from a pool designated by the Korean Ministry of Education. The study included 38 Korean students. At the 4-week and 8-week marks, all students were assessed with English competency tests. Results: Over 80% of the participants expressed satisfaction with the digital game-based English education, noting significant improvements in their English abilities compared with those achieved using traditional English classes. During the gaming rounds, children with problematic behaviors demonstrated improvement in test scores relative to their peers without such behaviors. Conclusion: The educational game Wise-Ax English can effectively enhance English language skills among Korean elementary school students. Notably, the effectiveness of Wise-Ax English was more pronounced in students exhibiting higher levels of problematic behavior and anxiety.

Objective: GripAble is a novel upper limb motor function assessment and exergaming device. In this study, we aimed to (1) establish its test-retest reliability and precision and (2) determine which method of reporting (i.e., based on one, two, or three trials) yields the greatest reliability and precision when testing hand grip strength (HGS) in healthy-handed adults. Materials and Methods: Purposeful sampling was used to recruit a diverse sample of adults according to sex, age, and race. Data were collected during two sessions approximately 2 weeks apart. During each session, three trials of maximal HGS were taken bilaterally. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and precision was assessed using the standard error of measurement and the minimal detectable change (MDC). Results: Thirty-six healthy-handed adults completed the study protocol. Across all methods of reporting, ICC values were ≥0.85. The highest reliability (ICC values for dominant and nondominant hands = 0.97 and 0.94, respectively) and precision (MDC% for dominant and nondominant hands = 12.9 and 18.2, respectively) were observed when the average of three trials was calculated. Conclusions: The GripAble device has excellent reliability and acceptable precision when used to assess maximal HGS in healthy-handed adults. Recording three trials and reporting their average yields the highest test-retest reliability and precision. Relevance: We present early evidence to support the use of GripAble as an HGS assessment device. Future research should include establishing HGS reference values and testing GripAble's reliability and precision in different clinical populations. Its efficacy as an exergaming intervention also warrants exploration.

The use of exergames in the rehabilitation of patients with upper limb dysfunctions has increased significantly. This scoping review aimed to investigate the game controllers (GCs) employed in exergame systems used for rehabilitation, offering insights into the platforms, sensors, and techniques used in their development, implementation, and utilization. We conducted a comprehensive search of Scopus and PubMed databases, encompassing articles published between February 2013 and February 2023. The eligibility criteria included studies on upper limbs (UL) rehabilitation using exergames published in English-language journals, resulting in the identification of 175 pertinent articles. Seven key categories were identified: pathology, participants' conditions, dosage of sessions, GCs, sensors, specific part of the UL rehabilitated, and ergonomics. Stroke (55.4%) and cerebral palsy (6.3%) were the most frequently addressed medical conditions in the exergame-based rehabilitation. The number of participants in the reviewed articles was from one to several hundred. Three types of participants were identified: patients, specialists, and volunteers. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies consistently featured a controlled number of sessions (ranging from 6 to 40) lasting an average of 20 minutes, while non-RCT studies displayed more variability. Commercial platforms were favored, accounting for 74.3% of GCs, with physical controllers (57.1%) surpassing virtual ones. Cameras were the predominant sensors (50.3%), although a wide array of sensor types including IMUs, push buttons, and force sensors were also used. Rehabilitation focuses 68% on general UL, 20.6% on hands, 4% on elbows, and 3.4% on arms and shoulders. Notably, only 26.3% of the studies considered ergonomics in the rehabilitation system. Although exergame systems are advancing rehabilitation treatments, there remains a need for further development and research on various aspects, such as ergonomics, controller design, and sensor integration, to enhance their suitability for patient use.

Serious games are pedagogic tools aiming to serve educational or informative purposes by incorporating fun aspects of games with serious elements of learning. Serious games are an emerging trend in medical and nursing education since they provide the ideal opportunity to increase knowledge and enhance decision-making and problem-solving skills by actively involving learners. However, serious game initiatives on hospital management education have been given less attention. This is the first contemporary systematic review addressing the significant research gap by synthesizing existing evidence on serious games in the hospital management field, to highlight their potential in enhancing managerial and administrative skills. Robust search algorithms were implemented in Scopus and PubMed yielding 892 results. Overall, 36 serious games emerged with half of them being digital. Regarding game design, most were multiplayer games, while several required team collaboration. Serious games' main learning target was categorized according to Katz's three-skill approach for effective administration, including technical, interpersonal, and conceptual skills acquisition. Serious game learning activity type, teaching subject, and geographical distribution were also explored. The findings stimulate interest and increase awareness of using serious games to enhance hospital personnel's knowledge and skills in managerial roles and administrative processes. Furthermore, the review intended to inspire academics and health care policymakers to convey administrative skills and basic management concepts to various hospital employees and health care/management students through game-based learning.