Development of an Exergame for Urban-dwelling Older Adults With Functional Limitations: Results and Lessons Learned.
Author: Szanton SL, Walker RK, Lim JH, Fisher L, Zhan A, Gitlin LN, Thorpe RJ, Terzis A
Conference/Journal: Prog Community Health Partnersh.
Date published: 2016
Other:
Volume ID: 10 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 73-81 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1353/cpr.2016.0005. , Word Count: 144
BACKGROUND: Falls at home are common and potentially fatal for disabled older adults. To address this problem, we created an academic-community partnership involving disabled, urban-dwelling older adults and their families, the housing authority, a Tai Chi master, and a university.
OBJECTIVES: We conducted a pilot to assess safety, acceptability, and feasibility of a Wii-based exergame designed to increase disabled older adults' strength and balance.
METHODS: A working prototype was developed and evaluated. Then, we piloted a refined version with 19 disabled urban-dwelling older adults.
RESULTS: The program was enjoyable, feasible, and acceptable. Participants described multiple functional improvements. Of the 16 who completed at least three gaming sessions, average balance score increased 25% and gait speed increased 19%.
CONCLUSIONS: This pilot showed promising results for improving strength and balance in the home setting, and yielded valuable lessons about health technology development with community partners.
PMID: 27018356 [PubMed - in process]
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