Games for Health Journal最新文献

In this systematic review, we explored the literature on both online gamification and language learning in older adults aged 50 and older. Studies describing either digital gamified cognitive training or language learning interventions and include objective outcomes relating to the cognition of the participants were highlighted as suitable to be included as part of the review. In accordance with the established studies, we analyzed the aim and outcomes of the two separate types of interventions, the study design used, the modalities utilized for the respective interventions, as well as the cognitive outcomes obtained. A focus on the Asian context is included to better understand the effects of such interventions on Asian older adults. Mixed findings have been noted in both online gamified and language learning trainings, especially for language learning. However, results lean toward improvements in the cognitive abilities of older adults following gamified interventions, especially gamified cognitive trainings.

Background: Poststroke hemiparesis presents with motor asymmetry and decreased postural control leading to functional limitations. Serious games (SG) for balance rehabilitation of people with stroke may improve motor recovery, and the visual and auditory feedback provided by the SGs helps to explain the therapeutic benefits. However, the contribution of SG combined with kinesthetic and verbal cues during balance training has not been investigated. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of two feedback conditions for an SG balance intervention, with or without the addition of kinesthetic and verbal cues, on balance performance of people with stroke. Methods: Thirty people with chronic poststroke hemiparesis and balance impairment participated in this randomized controlled trial and performed 14 individual SG training sessions combined with kinesthetic and verbal cues provided by the physical therapist or with SG's feedback only. Outcomes were assessed before training (pre), 1 week after the end of training (post), and 8 weeks after the end of training, which were adopted as the follow-up period, using the Balance Evaluation Systems Test, Lower Limb Subscale of Fugl-Meyer, six-minute walk test, and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale. Results: The results showed that SG combined with kinesthetic and verbal cues improved outcomes relating to lower limb function and some balance domains (biomechanical constraints and limits of stability outcomes) better than with SG's feedback only. Both groups had similar significant improvement in quality of life and long-distance walking performance. Conclusion: This study is the first to directly compare two feedback conditions for SG-based balance intervention. The addition of kinesthetic and verbal cues during the SG balance improved aspects of postural control better than without this form of feedback.

Objective: This study reports the process evaluation of a randomized controlled trial of the MyHeartMate app for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Materials and Methods: Data were collected on engagement in the intervention group from the app platform logs and self-reported usage and via interviews for perspectives of usefulness and acceptability. Participants' (n = 194) data logs showed 80.4% entered baseline data. Tracking (≥30 days) occurred for body mass index (23.2%), blood pressure (BP) (21.1%), and exercise (23.7%). Missions completed on ≥4 days were 47.5% for healthy eating and 30.9% for exercise; 50.5% used the word game. One quarter (26.8%) was classified as "engaged" (tracked exercise and/or BP ≥5 times and completed ≥18 missions in the first 30 days). There were no differences between participants who were "engaged" or not in baseline characteristics or 6-month outcomes, although engaged users were more likely to meet 4/5 recommended risk factor guideline levels (30.8% vs. 17.6%, P = 0.03). Results: Participants perceived tracking, prompts, and rewards as useful for recovery and risk factor-related lifestyle change, and games were enjoyed. Engagement decreased with time. Acceptability was limited when app processes were difficult to understand, not personalized enough and/or the overall game concept was disliked. Conclusions: Insight into user's perceptions and use of gamified app components is essential to address barriers to uptake and optimize potential health benefits. The target audience for a serious game app for CHD remains uncertain.

Background: Combined behavioral- and pharmacological-based tobacco cessation interventions are effective for adults with serious mental illness; yet, they continue to smoke at alarming rates. Materials and Methods: A pilot two-arm randomized controlled trial of the program consisted of 50 minutes of game-based groups 3×/week, for 12 weeks alongside counseling and pharmacotherapy. The intervention group engaged in game-based group physical activity (PA), while the control group engaged in sedentary games. Results: Multilevel regression analyses were used to examine the primary aims. Mean number of cigarettes smoked per week (cig/wk) for the sample (n = 48) at enrollment was 56.3 cigarettes. The linear change was significant at 2.9 fewer cig/wk. The average psychiatric symptom score at enrollment for the PA group was 41.5 points with a significant predicted linear decrease in scores. Conclusion: Both study groups showed a significant reduction in cig/wk. The combination of counseling and pharmacotherapy offered in groups may have aided with cessation and cigarette reduction while also providing a benefit to mental health.

Objective: To evaluate a serious game-based intervention's feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy in encouraging coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination among 11-14-year-olds in the United States and assess participant experiences. Materials and Methods: The study, grounded in social cognitive theory and health belief model, recruited and engaged 32 English-speaking parent-child dyads with unvaccinated youths via snowball sampling and social media outreach. These dyads were randomly assigned to either the COVID-19 serious game-based intervention group (n = 16) or a usual care group (n = 16). The study measured beliefs, self-efficacy, and intentions regarding vaccination using surveys before and after the intervention, with follow-up at 2 months to evaluate vaccine uptake. Semistructured interviews provided insights into the gaming experience and study process. Results: All 32 eligible parent-youth dyads (16 in each group) completed the study with full participation. Most participants were Black or African American fathers, making up 75% and 81.3% of the intervention and control groups, respectively. The intervention impacted vaccine uptake, with 75% of the intervention group vaccinating their children compared with 37.5% of the control group [χ²(1, n = 32) = 4.57, P = 0.033]. Key factors for vaccine uptake included parents' motivation and youths' perceived susceptibility, with correlations of r(30) = 0.66, P = 0.006, and r(30) = 0.55, P = 0.029, respectively. The intervention reshaped youth perceptions about self and community protection. Participants expressed overall satisfaction with both the intervention and the study process. Conclusions: The intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable, with potential for integration into youth vaccination strategies to support COVID-19 vaccine decision-making.

Objective: To describe the natural course of exergaming among young adults and identify predictors of sustained exergaming. Methods: To describe the natural course, we retained 592 participants from an ongoing longitudinal study with complete data on exergaming at four time points over 12-13 years between 2010-12 and 2023 (i.e., T1-T4 at mean ages 24.0, 30.6, 33.6, and 35.2, respectively). To identify predictors of sustained exergaming, we retained 228 participants with data on 27 potential predictors at T2 and data on exergaming at T2 and T3. The association between each potential predictor and sustained exergaming was examined as an independent study using multivariable logistic regression controlling for age, sex, and educational attainment. Results: Of 592 participants, 41.3%, 34.1%, and 38.5% sustained exergaming from T1 to T2, from T2 to T3, and from T3 to T4, respectively. Only 3% of participants sustained exergaming from T1 to T4. Most participants reported light- or moderate-intensity exergaming at all time points. Higher levels of external pressure to engage in physical activity, encouragement from close friends to exercise, and taking breaks from sitting during a typical workday were each associated with lower odds of sustained exergaming. Conclusion: Although exergaming is a popular activity among young adults, long-term sustained exergaming was rare. This may link to time constraints related to life transitions, evolving interests, changes in social circles, and shifting fitness goals among young adults. Research is needed to inform strategies that promote sustained exergaming and maximize its potential for positive impact among young adults.

Objective: This study assesses the impact of single-player and multiplayer exergaming modes on improving exercise intentions, reduction of fear of falling, and emotional well-being among older adults, primarily from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds-a group often underrepresented in exergame research. Method: We engaged 48 participants, primarily from low-SES communities in Singapore for a 4-week community-based exergaming intervention. Participants were divided into four groups as follows: (1) conventional exercise alone, (2) exergames alone, (3) exergames with a health coach, and (4) exergames with a peer. Using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, we analyzed the effects of these interventions. Results: The findings revealed that all exergaming modes positively influenced exercise intentions, fear of falling, and emotional well-being to varying extents. Notably, exergaming with a health coach significantly improved participants' exercise intentions and emotional well-being, underscoring the value of expert guidance in motivating and supporting older adults in adopting healthier lifestyles. Exergaming with a peer was most effective in reducing fear of falling, highlighting the importance of social support and peer interaction in addressing physical health concerns among this population. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the potential of tailored exergame interventions incorporating various social interactions to improve health outcomes for older adults, contributing to more inclusive health promotion strategies.

Background: A transformation of learning in nursing is necessary to prepare students for developing complex clinical environments. The essential aim of clinical nursing learning is to enhance the integration of theoretical knowledge in the clinical environment by using various innovative strategies, such as immersive virtual reality (VR) simulation to develop a learning process that allows students to gain knowledge and perform skills in a visually attractive way, which enhances the quality and safety of clinical learning through repeated exposure to educational content that supports students' cognitive and psychomotor skills. Objective: This study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of immersive VR simulation as a learning strategy on the acquisition of intramuscular injection skills in nursing education and the performance level of nursing students compared with a physical learning environment (low-fidelity simulation). Materials and Metods: The experimental design (pre-post-test) was used among first-year nursing students (N = 66) (control group = 33, hip model and experimental group = 33, VR simulation) of the summer semester of 2019-2020 in the Faculty of Nursing at Near East University in Cyprus. Results: There is a significant difference between both groups in performance psychomotor skills scores, and the mean was higher in the experimental group (P = 0.002) and a significantly longer period of time than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Immersive VR simulation is a supplementary tool and useful teaching-learning strategy for training in nursing education alongside physical laboratory (hip-model and mannequin) and psychomotor skills requiring the ordering of skill steps in teaching, and it provides realistic experiences in a safe environment instead of the unavailability of actual customers in clinical settings.

Introduction: Autistic children may encounter difficulties in managing emotions and executive functions (EFs), which can contribute to mental and health challenges. Recognizing physical activities as a potential strategy for enhancing emotion regulation (ER), this study aims to investigate the efficacy of a virtual reality (VR)-based physical exercise program in improving ER and EFs among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Materials and Methods: Forty boys diagnosed with ASD, aged 7 to 10 years, were randomly assigned to two groups: a VR intervention group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The intervention group participated in a VR program, while the control group solely concentrated on engaging in sedentary and inactive video gaming. EFs were evaluated through the utilization of both the flanker task and the Wisconsin card sorting task, both administered initially at baseline and subsequently after an 8-week interval. In addition, the parents of the children completed the Emotion Regulation Checklist to evaluate their ER skills. Results: According to the results, a significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of EFs and the ability to regulate emotion (P < 0.05). The intervention group demonstrated a notable improvement in ER skills and exhibited superior executive functioning abilities compared with the control group. Conclusion: It appears that VR exercises can serve as a preliminary trial to enhance EFs and ER in children with autism. In addition, they may prove effective as complementary interventions to traditional educational strategies in preventing future challenges associated with ASD.

Background: Hospitalized pediatric patients and their caregivers often experience anxiety and fear, resulting in withdrawal and aggression. Despite virtual reality (VR) being a safe and effective anxiolytic, it is unknown what software design aspects contribute to its effectiveness. This prospective observational study evaluated which VR application elements increased awe, which is correlated with improved behavior and satisfaction. Methods: Patients aged 6 to 25 years and their caregivers at an academic pediatric hospital interacted with a custom VR application that compared design aspects, including environment, graphics fidelity, and presence of a motivational character. Outcomes investigated self-reported awe, vastness, accommodation, and engagement. Data were analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA tests and correlation analyses. Results: A total of 202 participants were enrolled, and 179 (88 pediatric patients, 91 adult caregivers) were included in the final analysis. A fictional environment was more effective at increasing awe in pediatric patients (P = 0.030) compared with a realistic environment. However, increased graphics fidelity was more effective at increasing awe in caregiver adults (P = 0.023) compared with low resolution graphics. Presence of a motivational character did not influence awe in either patients or caregivers (P = 0.432, P = 0.904, respectively). All measures of awe were positively correlated with application engagement (P < 0.005). Conclusion: In conclusion, when software developers design VR software for pediatric patients and their caregivers, fictional settings and increased graphic fidelity should be considered for pediatric patients and adults, respectively. Future studies will explore other VR elements in gameplay settings.