scholarly journals "Playing Alone is Good, But Playing With Peers is Even Better": Co-Design, Development, and Testing of a Bowling Exergame to Improve Functional Capacity of Elderly People (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Luiz Andrade Da Silva Júnior ◽  
Daiana Biduski ◽  
Ericles Andrei Bellei ◽  
Osvaldo Henrique Cemin Becker ◽  
Luciane Daroit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Commercial Sources ◽  
General Physical

BACKGROUND Elderly people often do not meet the recommended levels of exercise required to reduce functional decline. Social interaction is mentioned by these people as a reason for joining group-based exercises, which does not occur when exercising alone. In this perspective, exergames can be used as a motivational resource. However, most of the exergames available are generic and obtained from commercial sources, usually not specifically designed or adapted for the elderly. OBJECTIVE First, we intended to co-design and develop a new exergame alongside elderly participants to tailor the game mechanics and optimize their adherence and enjoyment for exercise. Afterward, we tested the participant's functional capacity, motivation, and adherence to the exergaming program while comparing these scores between those who played alone and those who played with peers. METHODS We conducted a co-design process to develop a new exergame adapted to the elderly. For user testing, 23 participants were divided into two groups to play individually (Alone Group) or competing in pairs (With Peers Group). They played the game twice a week, resulting in 21 exergaming sessions. We assessed the participants’ General Physical Fitness Index before and after the intervention. We also applied questionnaires about the gaming experience and exercise adherence with its motivators and barriers. RESULTS We introduced a new bowling exergame for Xbox with a Kinect motion sensor that can be played in a single or multi-player mode. After the exergaming sessions, both groups showed a statistically significant improvement in functional capacity. Participants recognized the benefits and expressed enthusiasm towards the exergame. Considering adherence to physical exercise, both groups had improvements and showed interest in playing together. Still, when analyzing the post-test between groups, the With Peers Group had better outcomes than the Alone Group. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that the developed exergame is effective in improving functional capacity and adherence to physical exercise of the elderly, with even better results for those who played with peers. Besides leading to more appropriate products, a co-design approach may positively influence the motivation and adherence of participants to elicit better health outcomes. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals A Bowling Exergame to Improve Functional Capacity in Older Adults: Co-Design, Development, and Testing to Compare the Progress of Playing Alone Versus Playing With Peers

10.2196/23423 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e23423
Author(s):  
Jorge Luiz Andrade Da Silva Júnior ◽  
Daiana Biduski ◽  
Ericles Andrei Bellei ◽  
Osvaldo Henrique Cemin Becker ◽  
Luciane Daroit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
Design Development ◽  
User Testing ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Commercial Sources ◽  
General Physical ◽  
Motivational Resources

Background Older people often do not meet the recommended levels of exercise required to reduce functional decline. Social interaction is mentioned by this cohort as a reason for joining group-based exercises, which does not occur when exercising alone. This perspective shows that exergames can be used as motivational resources. However, most available exergames are generic, obtained from commercial sources, and usually not specifically designed or adapted for older people. Objective In this study, we aim to co-design and develop a new exergame alongside older participants to (1) tailor the game mechanics and optimize participants’ adherence to and enjoyment of exercise; (2) test the participants’ functional capacity, motivation, and adherence to the exergaming program; and (3) compare these scores between those who played alone and those who played with peers. Methods We conducted a co-design process to develop a new exergame adapted to older people. For user testing, 23 participants were divided into 2 groups to play individually (alone group) or to compete in pairs (with peers group). They played the game twice a week, resulting in 21 exergaming sessions. We assessed the participants’ General Physical Fitness Index (GPFI) before and after the user testing. We also administered questionnaires about the gaming experience and exercise adherence with its motivators and barriers. Results We introduced a new bowling exergame for Xbox with a Kinect motion sensor that can be played in single or multiplayer mode. For the GPFI measurements, the sample was homogeneous in the pretest (with peers group: mean 40.5 [SD 9.6], alone group: mean 33.9 [SD 7.8]; P=.11). After the exergame testing sessions, both groups had significant gains (with peers group: mean 57.5 [SD 8.7], P=.005; alone group: mean 44.7 [SD 10.6]; P=.02). Comparing the posttest between groups, it was found that the group in which participants played with peers had better outcomes than the group in which participants played alone (P=.02). Regarding the gaming experience and exercise adherence, both groups recognized the benefits and expressed enthusiasm toward the exergame. Conclusions The findings suggest that the developed exergame helps in improving the functional capacity and adherence to physical exercise among older people, with even better results for those who played with peers. In addition to leading to more appropriate products, a co-design approach may positively influence the motivation and adherence of participants.

scholarly journals Robots Visit Homes For Elderly People Who Have Difficulty Going Out and Practice Brain Training

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazue Sawami ◽  
Mitsuo Kimura ◽  
Tetsuro Kitamura ◽  
Masahiko Kawaguchi ◽  
Mihoko Furusumi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Brain Training ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Before And After

Introduction: When it becomes difficult for the elderly to go out due to a decrease in walking ability, the decline in their mental and physical function accelerates. Currently, elderly people who have difficulty going out have no effective measures in place. Therefore, we wanted to prevent their functional decline by visiting homes and intervening. For the intervention, a robot developed for brain training for the elderly people was used. The goal was not only brain training, but also to obtain psychological activation through interaction with robots and supporters. Method: The subjects were elderly people who had difficulty going out. Researchers, supporters, and robot visited their homes to conduct brain training by robots and recollection methods were performed with supporters. Cognitive tests (immediate and delayed reproduction of 10 words) and psychological surveys (interviews) were conducted before and after the intervention. Result: There were 29 subjects, 8 males, and 21 females, with an average age of 79.5 ± 4.95. The maximum score for the cognitive test is 10. Immediate playback was improved from 5.5 points to 8.1 points (p <0.01), and delayed playback was improved from 4.7 points to 7.5 points (p <0.01). In the analysis of psychological verbatim record, as a result of the pre-interview, “Once I stop going out, it becomes troublesome to get dressed up and go out”, “There are days when I don't talk about anything all day”, “If someone doesn't come or make a phone call, there are no chance of a conversation”. In the interview after the start, there were most categories as “I came to think that vitality is important”, “I became more motivated”, and “I'm looking forward to talking”. As for robots, there were many reactions such as cuteness, healing, and fun compared to interpersonal communication. Conclusion: Brain training during the visits showed that there is a significant improvement in cognitive score, and that it is effective as a countermeasure for the elderly who cannot go out. In addition, the robot has a high affinity for all subjects, the effect of softening the tension associated with receiving the visit was confirmed. Conversation with a robot that resolves the shortage of human resources is meaningful because in the situation where no one talks to anyone throughout the day the utilization of robot shows the improvement in energy and motivation due to increased conversation. By supplementing the interaction with regular supporters to this, it can be a more effective measure.

Physical Exercise Programme on Fall Prevention using Technological Interface: Pre-test Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilza Nogueira ◽  
Fátima Araújo ◽  
Joana Silva ◽  
Joana Lopes ◽  
Isabel Nogueira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Exercise Session ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Functional Tests ◽  
Data Collection Tool

BACKGROUND Prevention of falls among the elderly has boosted the development of technological solutions, requiring testing in clinical contexts and robust studies that need prior validation of procedures and data collection tools. OBJECTIVE This pre-test sought to i) test the data collection tool and its application; ii) test the application of functional tests; iii) train the researchers; iv) test the usability of the FallSensing Games application by the elderly in a community setting METHODS The pre-test was carried out on a sample of eleven elderly participants attending a day care centre. Several tests (30-Second Chair Stand Test; Timed-Up and Go Test and 4 Stage Balance Test) were applied to assess functional capacity and the risk of fall. Physical exercise sessions were held using the interactive game FallSensing Games. RESULTS The pre-test was conducted on a sample of 11 participants with a mean age of 75.08 (SD=3.80) years, mostly female (90.9%) and with low schooling (3-6 years) (90.9%). Clinically, the results show a group of elderly people with comorbidities who portray the epidemiological profile of chronic disease, with high expressiveness of HBP, osteoarticular disease and urinary incontinence. In this sample, despite the high prevalence of osteoarticular disease, only two elderly people used walking aids. The cognitive evaluation of the participants through the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), showed results with an average score of 25.64 (SD=3.5). The functional capacity assessed using the Lawton & Brody scale (overall score varying between 0-23, with lower scores reflecting worse capacity to carry out activities), showed impairment in different instrumental activities of daily living (average score =14.27). CONCLUSIONS The present study was conducted as a pre-test of a future pilot study, to identify the weaknesses of the data collection tool, to test the application of functional tests and a physical exercise programme (using technology), to train procedures and to standardise the "modus operandi" of data collection. The data collection tool has proven to enable a clear interpretation, however, its structure needed small readjustments to facilitate the data collection process. Despite the length of the questionnaire, its implement took an average of 21 minutes. For the assessment of the prevalence of fear of falling, the need to add a question was identified, to clarify whether or not the participant was afraid of falling. The performance of functional tests by the participants, under the guidance and the presence of rehabilitation nurses, proved to be favourable to enhance their self-confidence. As aforementioned, the use of the technology, both in the data collection phase and in the execution of the exercise session, led to adjustments to its implementation. The interactive games were well accepted by the participants, and the physical exercises allowed data collection on the functionality of the elderly, such as the number of repetitions in the tests, the range of movement (angle), the duration of the movements and the execution of each cycle. The fact that the games were played in groups enabled to develop a spirit of competitiveness among the participants, in the search for a better score in the games, which can be interpreted as a positive aspect. Despite the pre-test results, this study aims to contribute to the practice of professionals in clinical and research contexts, given the scarcity of information on this relevant stage in experimental/quasi-experimental studies.

scholarly journals Effects of musical improvisation as a cognitive and motor intervention for the elderly

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Rabello dos SANTOS ◽  
Monique Siebra KRUG ◽  
Michel Rasche BRANDÃO ◽  
Victória Silva de LEON ◽  
Júlia Cenci MARTINOTTO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Clock Drawing Test ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Musical Improvisation ◽  
Motor Effects ◽  
Healthy Elderly People

Abstract Music has been debated as a positive factor for the health of elderly people. In a randomized study, the researchers compared an intervention based on percussion and musical improvisation with a choir activity. The objective was to investigate whether improvisation would influence the executive functioning and motor skills of healthy elderly people. A set of instruments for psychological and motor assessment was used before and after the procedure. Differences were found in the performance of the participants of the improvisation group in the Clock Drawing Test suggesting possible gains in executive function. There were gains, regardless of the group, in part A of the Trail Making Test, which indicates a sustained attention. No evidence of motor effects was found in this study. The results suggest that musical activities can contribute to the prevention of cognitive decline caused by aging.

scholarly journals A novel telerehabilitation with educational program for caregivers using telelecture is a feasible procedure for fall prevention in elderly people – A pilot study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Moriichi ◽  
Mikihiro Fujiya ◽  
Takanori Ro ◽  
Tetsuo Ota ◽  
Hitomi Nishimiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Educational Program ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Telemedicine System ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Clinical Trials Registry

Abstract Background: The importance of fall prevention rehabilitations has been well recognized. Recently, telerehabilitation was developed, however, there have been no reports on the use of telerehabilitation with direct support from specialists for fall prevention among the elderly. We herein reported telerehabilitation by carers educated by our novel educational program.Methods: Nine elderly people in two nursing homes were enrolled using our original criteria. Carers are educated with our educational program using telelecture system. Telerehabilitation was performed by carers following the instruction from rehabilitation specialists in Asahikawa Medical University using the telemedicine system every 2-4 weeks for three months. Carers were assessed with our original questionnaire before and after the telelecture. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up & Go test (TUG test), Hand-held dynamometer (HHD) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were assessed before and after telerehabilitation.Results: The average number of times to perform telerehabilitation in all institutes was 4.7. Levels of understanding of carers were significantly increased after the telelecture. No adverse event occurred during the study period. Median BBSs before and three months after telerehabilitation were 43 and 49, respectively. Those of TUG test, right and left HHD and MMSE were 17.89 and 18.53, 7.95 and 11.55, 9.85 and 13.20, and 16 and 19, respectively. All results were improved after telerehabilitation.Conclusions: Our telerehabilitation program exhibited significant effects in elderly people as well as levels of understanding rehabilitation of caregivers in the facilities for the elderly people safely.Trial registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry（UMIN-CTR）UMIN000041439, August 17th, 2020

scholarly journals Assessing Functional Capacity and Factors Determining Functional Decline in the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamélia Oliveira ◽  
Paulo Nossa ◽  
Anabela Mota-Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Adult Day Care ◽  
Medication Usage ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Support

Introduction: The aim of this study is to assess functional capacity and determine the factors associated with functional decline in the elderly in adult day care centres and home care support in the County of Coimbra, Portugal.Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study. A total of 115 participants of both genders, aged between 65 and 98, were enrolled in the home care support and adult day care system of the County of Coimbra, Portugal. Functional capacity was assessed using the Barthel index and the Lawton index. Another questionnaire gathered social, demographic and health status information.Results: The basic activities of daily living were significantly associated with age, cohabitation, medication usage, falls and multiple morbidity. Analysis of the study’s variables and the instrumental activities of daily living found significant associations between age, institutional affiliation, perceived health status, hospitalizations, medication usage, physical exercise, multiple morbidities, falls, and fall prevention.Discussion: The results demonstrate that no statistically observable differences were found between gender and functional dependence. A significant association between the Barthel index and cohabitation was also found. We should also highlight that this sample revealed the extremely important role of families in determining the protection of highly dependent older people. Likewise, a significant association was observed between instrumental activities of daily living and levels of physical activity in which greater independence was found in those seniors who practiced physical exercise three or more times per week.Conclusion: The results of this study allow us to identify factors that may be associated with the functional decline in the elderly. Useful evidence for the adoption of intervention strategies in the elderly population was added, focused on the prevention of functional decline and maintenance of the functional capacities of the elderly.

Why suicide? Elderly people who committed suicide and their experience of life in the period before their death

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ildri Kjølseth ◽  
Øivind Ekeberg ◽  
Sissel Steihaug
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Elderly Person ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Home Based

ABSTRACTBackground: The objective of this study is to acquire an understanding of the suicides among a group of elderly people by studying how they experienced their existence towards the end of life.Methods: This is a psychological autopsy study based on qualitative interviews with 63 informants in relation to 23 suicides committed by persons aged over 65 in Norway. Informants who knew the deceased persons well describe what the elderly person communicated to them about their experience of life in the period before the suicide and how they as informants saw and understood this. The informants comprise relatives, family doctors and home-based care nurses. The analysis of the interviews follows the systematic text condensation method.Results: The descriptions are divided into three main elements: the elderly persons' experiences of life, their perception of themselves, and their conceptions of death. “Experience of life” has two sub-topics: this life has been lived and life as a burden. Everything that had given value to their life had been lost and life was increasingly experienced as a burden. Their “perception of themselves” concerned losing oneself. Functional decline meant that they no longer had freedom of action and self-determination. “Conceptions of death” involve the following sub-topics: acknowledgement/acceptance and death is better than life. Life had entered into its final phase, and they seemed to accept death. For some time, many of them had expressed the wish to die.Conclusions: The results lead us to argue that their suicides should be considered as existential choices. The sum total of the different forms of strain had made life a burden they could no longer bear. Age meant that they were in a phase of life that entailed closeness to death, which they could also see as a relief.

scholarly journals Family Support for Psychological Health of the Elderly

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-167
Author(s):  
Mierrina ◽  
Charis Rizqi Pradana ◽  
Haniyah Dwi Rahmawati
Keyword(s):  
Family Support ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Family Relationship ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Elderly Parents ◽  
Great Hope

With the increasing number of elderly people, of course, there will be more and more complex problems that must be faced by these elderly people. Elderly people are no longer independent or dependent on others, unable to carry out activities on their own, need caregivers, have cognitive and functional decline, have complex psychosocial problems, and have multiple diseases. This study aims to provide an overview of the form of support and its impact on the health of the elderly by providing an overview through literature review research. Research data was obtained through literature study and hermeneutics. Family support can provide great hope for elderly people to continue to instill many positive things and reduce the negative possibilities experienced by them. Ways to provide support to the elderly can be: taking family members for walks, hanging out with friends, being with them throughout the day, and respecting one another. The benefits of providing the above are that there is an increasingly close family relationship, trusted by elderly parents, to be asked for any help, not awkward in expressing any opinion. This has an impact on the emotional stability of the elderly in living their lives.

scholarly journals Physical exercise is effective for neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 447-456
Author(s):  
Dayanne Christine Borges Mendonça ◽  
Denise Rodrigues Fernandes ◽  
Salma Soleman Hernandez ◽  
Fernando Diákson Gontijo Soares ◽  
Karina de Figueiredo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Positive Effect

ABSTRACT Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms are disorders frequently seen in Alzheimer's disease. These symptoms contribute to reduction of brain reserve capacity and, in addition, they present unfavorable implications, such as: poor prognosis for the disease, increased functional decline, increased burden on the caregiver and institutionalization. This scenario makes neuropsychiatric symptoms one of the biggest problems in Alzheimer's disease, and gives rise to a need for treatments focused on improving these symptoms. Sow progress in drug trials has led to interest in exploring non-pharmacological measures for improving the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, such as physical exercise. Objective: To ascertain the effect of exercise on the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and its implications. Methods: This was a systematic review of effective longitudinal research, conducted by searching for articles in the PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and Scopus electronic databases, from 2009 to 2019. Studies in which the sample consisted of elderly people aged 65 years old or over with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease were included. Initially 334 articles were identified. After exclusions, 21 articles remained to be read in full. From these, five articles fitted the eligibility criteria, and a further two articles were added through manual searches in the references of the articles found. Results: Out of the seven articles analyzed in this review, five studies revealed that physical exercise had a positive effect on the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Conclusion: This systematic review indicated that physical exercise is a favorable non-pharmacological means for attenuating the neuropsychiatric symptoms of elderly people with Alzheimer's disease, with special attention to aerobic exercises.

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