Use of Adapted Controllers for Active Video Gaming in People With Physical Disabilities

Use of Adapted Controllers for Active Video Gaming (Interactive Exercise and Recreation Technologies and Exercise Physiology Benefiting People With Disabilities)

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of off-the-shelf (OTS) and adapted game controllers on quality of game play, enjoyment, and energy expenditure during active video gaming in persons with mobility impairments. The controllers to be evaluated include off-the-shelf and adapted gaming mats and off-the-shelf and adapted Wii Fit balance boards.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Physical Disability
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Active video gaming

Detailed Description

Previous studies have shown that individuals with disabilities have lower levels of physical activity and fitness and higher levels of obesity compared to their non-disabled peers. Research has also shown that engaging this population in physical activity can be extremely challenging due to physical impairments associated with their disability, as well as fewer opportunities to participate.

Active video games (AVG), also known as exergames, are a category of video games that require much more body motion for successful play than the traditional pushbutton or joystick actions. The recent introduction of motion controlled AVGs allow a much greater variety of physical activity to be part of play. These games hold promise for promoting higher levels of energy expenditure, weight management and fitness. However, many current AVGs are inaccessible or offer limited play options for individuals who are unable to stand, have balance issues, poor motor control, or cannot use their lower body to perform game activities. Making AVGs accessible to people with disabilities offers an innovative approach to overcoming various barriers to participation in beneficial physical activity.

A recent publication by Dr. Rimmer in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation journal examining the use of AVGs as a means to increase energy expenditure in non-ambulatory young adults with disabilities suggested that clinically significant increases in energy expenditure could be achieved with AVGs.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 105
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 10 years to 60 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Potential participants must have a confirmed diagnosis of lower extremity mobility disability (e.g., spina bifida, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy,1 year post spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or limb loss) with partial or full use of upper extremities and use of an assistive device (manual wheelchair, walker, crutches, or canes) for balance and/or mobility or should have gait deviation.
• Participants must be between the ages of 10 and 60 yrs, and not weigh more than 350 pounds.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable cardiovascular conditions as identified by their physician.
• Weight over 350 pounds
• Visual impairment that interferes with playing video games

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Active video gaming; Participants will engage in active video game play.	Other: Active video gaming; Participants will engage in active video game play using two off-the-shelf (OTS) and two adapted controllers using the Wii gaming console. Controllers are: OTS balance board, OTS gaming mat, Adapted balance board, Adapted gaming mat.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Energy expenditure (ml/kg/min)	Measured using a portable metabolic system	Visit 1: baseline measurement at rest
Energy expenditure (ml/kg/min)	Measured using a portable metabolic system	Visit 2: during game play
Energy expenditure (ml/kg/min)	Measured using a portable metabolic system	Visit 3: during game play

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Enjoyment	Participants will complete the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES)	Visit 2: following first game set
Enjoyment	Participants will complete the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES)	Visit 2: following second game set
Enjoyment	Participants will complete the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES)	Visit 3: following first game set
Enjoyment	Participants will complete the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES)	Visit 3: following second game set
Quality of game play	Subjective evaluation by the tester: degree of general game manipulation in comparison to able-bodied gamer; Likert scale 0 (unable) to 5 (excellent)	Visit 2: following first game set
Quality of game play	Subjective evaluation by the tester: degree of general game manipulation in comparison to able-bodied gamer; Likert scale 0 (unable) to 5 (excellent)	Visit 2: following second game set
Quality of game play	Subjective evaluation by the tester: degree of general game manipulation in comparison to able-bodied gamer; Likert scale 0 (unable) to 5 (excellent)	Visit 3: following first game set
Quality of game play	Subjective evaluation by the tester: degree of general game manipulation in comparison to able-bodied gamer; Likert scale 0 (unable) to 5 (excellent)	Visit 3: following second game set
Controller usability	Participants will complete the System Usability Scale	At the completion of Visit 2
Controller usability	Participants will complete the System Usability Scale	At the completion of Visit 3

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Collaborators: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
• Investigators: Study Director: Sangeetha Padalabalanarayanan, MS, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Malone LA, Padalabalanarayanan S, McCroskey J, Thirumalai M. Assessment of Active Video Gaming Using Adapted Controllers by Individuals With Physical Disabilities: A Protocol. JMIR Res Protoc. 2017 Jun 16;6(6):e116. doi: 10.2196/resprot.7621.
• Malone LA, Thirumalai M, Padalabalanarayanan S, Neal WN, Bowman S, Mehta T. Energy Expenditure and Enjoyment During Active Video Gaming Using an Adapted Wii Fit Balance Board in Adults with Physical Disabilities: Observational Study. JMIR Serious Games. 2019 Feb 1;7(1):e11326. doi: 10.2196/11326.
• Thirumalai M, Kirkland WB, Misko SR, Padalabalanarayanan S, Malone LA. Adapting the Wii Fit Balance Board to Enable Active Video Game Play by Wheelchair Users: User-Centered Design and Usability Evaluation. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol. 2018 Mar 6;5(1):e2. doi: 10.2196/rehab.8003.
• Malone LA, Davlyatov GK, Padalabalanarayanan S, Thirumalai M. Active Video Gaming Using an Adapted Gaming Mat in Youth and Adults With Physical Disabilities: Observational Study. JMIR Serious Games. 2021 Aug 26;9(3):e30672. doi: 10.2196/30672.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2016
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 6, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 14, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): December 15, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 15, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 31, 2022
• Last Verified: January 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Energy expenditure; Active video gaming
• Other Study ID Numbers: F150909002

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No