Home-Based Exergame Program for Community-Dwelling Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a home-based exergame program on physical function, fall efficacy, depression, and quality of life in older adults. For the purpose of the study, the investigators established the following hypotheses. Older adults who participate in a home-based exergame program will experience significant improvements in physical function, fall efficacy, depression, and quality of life compared to those who do not participate in the program.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Frail Elderly; Exergaming
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Home-based exergame program; Behavioral: Online education on fall prevention and musculoskeletal health management

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Korea, Republic of
  • Gangwon-do
    • Wonju, Gangwon-do, Korea, Republic of, 26495
      • Kyungdong University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 75 years and older (Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 75 years or older
• the ability to walk independently with or without a walking aid
• a mini-mental state examination score ≥ 24.

Exclusion Criteria:

• musculoskeletal disorders such as fractures or dislocations
• neurological impairment
• mental disorders
• uncontrolled endocrine, cardiovascular, or urinary system diseases

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental group; Participants in the experimental group engaged in a home-based exergame program for 50 minutes per session, three times per week, for eight weeks. The program focused on enhancing lower extremity strength and balance.	Behavioral: Home-based exergame program; The home-based exergame program was conducted using the Nintendo Switch and Ring Fit Adventure program at participants' homes. The program included a 10-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of main exercise, and a 10-minute cool-down, lasting a total of 50 minutes per session. Sessions were held three times per week for eight weeks. The exercises targeted lower extremity strength, balance, and flexibility and included yoga, leg exercises (e.g., squats, knee lifts), and other activities performed in a gamified virtual environment. Participants received guidance on using the console, and family members were involved to support proper execution of the exercises.
Active Comparator: Control group; The control group participated in weekly online education sessions for 50 minutes over an eight-week period. The topics covered included fall prevention, musculoskeletal health, aging, and fracture risks. No physical exercise intervention was given.	Behavioral: Online education on fall prevention and musculoskeletal health management; The online education intervention consisted of weekly sessions conducted for 50 minutes over an eight-week period, focusing on fall prevention and musculoskeletal health management. Participants joined the sessions via a video-conference platform. The content covered education on aging, musculoskeletal disorders, fall prevention strategies, and understanding falls and fractures. These sessions aimed to enhance participants' awareness and knowledge, thereby helping them adopt preventive behaviors.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
One-leg standing test	The one-leg standing test was used to evaluate static postural balance. The one-leg standing test is a simple, reliable, and valid test for assessing balance and fall risk in older adults.	Change from baseline after intervention at 8 weeks
Berg balance scale	To evaluate dynamic postural balance, the Berg balance scale was used. It has a perfect score of 56 and consists of 14 items, with a perfect score of 4 for each item.	Change from baseline after intervention at 8 weeks
Functional reaching test	Functional reaching test was used to evaluate movement limits.	Change from baseline after intervention at 8 weeks
Timed up-and-go test	Timed up-and-go test was used to assess functional movement and mobility.	Change from baseline after intervention at 8 weeks
Five-times sit-to-stand test	Five-times sit-to-stand test was used to evaluate lower-extremity muscle strength.	Change from baseline after intervention at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Falls Efficacy	Falls efficacy was evaluated using the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES), which was specifically developed for older adults. The MFES consists of 14 questions, each scored from 0 (not confident) to 10 (very confident). The total score ranges from 0 to 140, with higher scores indicating greater confidence in performing activities without falling, which is considered a better outcome.	Change from baseline after intervention at 8 weeks
Depression	Depression was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15), a validated screening tool for older adults. The GDS-15 consists of 15 yes/no questions, with scores ranging from 0 to 15. Higher scores represent more severe depressive symptoms, which is considered a worse outcome.	Change from baseline after intervention at 8 weeks
Health-Related Quality of Life	Health-related quality of life was measured using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), which assesses multiple domains of health status, including physical functioning, pain, role limitations, emotional problems, mental health, social functioning, vitality, and general health. The SF-36 contains 36 items, each rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with the total score converted to a range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better health outcomes, reflecting a better quality of life.	Change from baseline after intervention at 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kyungdong University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 7, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): January 13, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 18, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 25, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): April 6, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): November 5, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 1, 2024
• Last Verified: November 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 1041455-202302-HR-003-01

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