The Effect of Telerehabilitation-Based Structured Exercise Program in Video Game-Addicted Adults

The increasing use of computers and mobile devices due to advancing technology has brought with it some negative consequences such as video game addiction. Research has shown that playing video games for too long can lead to a number of acute and chronic serious musculoskeletal problems that can negatively affect health. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of telerehabilitation-based structured exercise program in video game-addicted adults and compare these effects with the effect of brochure-based exercise. Postural assessments, pain assessments, fine motor skill assessments, grip strength measurements, and reaction time assessments were performed. All assessments were repeated before and after the 8-week program for both groups. Participants in the EG were given a telerehabilitation-based structured exercise program for an average of 40 minutes three days a week for 8 weeks. Participants in the CG were given brochure-based exercises three days a week for 8 weeks.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Video Game Addiction
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Brochure-Based Exercise Program; Other: Telerehabilitation-Based Structured Exercise Program

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 44
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Istanbul, Turkey, 34060
    • Biruni University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being between 18-40 years old
• Having a score of ≥30 on the Game Addiction Inventory for Adults (GAIA)
• Volunteering to participate in the study
• Having high-speed internet, a camera, and a microphone

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a neurological/orthopedic condition that would prevent exercise
• Having a cognitive impairment
• Having a vision or hearing loss

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Control Group; Participants were advised to repeat the brochure-based exercises 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Correct sitting and standing positions and ergonomic materials were also explained in detail. Participants' adherence to the exercise program was tracked by an exercise diary.	Other: Brochure-Based Exercise Program; Simple posture exercises
Experimental: Experimental Group; Progressive physical fitness and posture exercises were given via telerehabilitation 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Specific exercises for upper extremities, lower extremities, neck, trunk and lower back were selected and progressed by changing the frequency, duration and variety within the program. All exercises were performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist during video conference calls lasting an average of 40 minutes. Correct sitting and standing positions and ergonomic materials were also explained in detail. Participants' adherence to the exercise program was tracked by an exercise diary.	Other: Telerehabilitation-Based Structured Exercise Program; Progressive physical fitness and posture exercises

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain Assessment	The pain was assessed with the 10-cm VAS. The participants used the VAS to make an assessment of their own pain, with 0 representing no pain, and 10 cm representing severe pain.	1-2 minutes
Fine Motor Skill Assessment	The fine motor skill was assessed with the 9-Hole Peg Test. It is a simple, fast test that requires minimal space and equipment and evaluates fine upper motor function. In this test, the patient is asked to insert the pegs into the holes in the desired order and collect them back. The duration of the test is measured by a specialist via a stopwatch.	4-5 minutes
Posture Assessment	Posture was assessed with the PostureZone Posture Application. The PostureZone mobile application, which can be downloaded free of charge on both Android and iOS via smartphone, will be used to evaluate the static postures of the participants. It is an application developed for clinicians that assess static posture. The participant is photographed with minimal clothing on, certain pivot points are marked, and the deviations of these points relative to the vertical-horizontal planes are determined.	5-10 minutes
Hand Reaction Assessment	Hand Reaction was assessed with the Nelson Hand Reaction Test. The participant sits on a chair with his forearm and hand in a comfortable position on the table. The tester holds the end of the ruler. The participant is asked to catch the ruler. Twenty rials are performed. The lowest 5 and highest 5 attempts are discarded and the average of the remaining 10 attempts is recorded as the result.	10-15 minutes
Handgrip Strength Assessment	Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynanometer was used to assess handgrip strength. Each trial was repeated three times and the average was recorded in kilograms	4-5 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Biruni University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): October 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 6, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 6, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): October 12, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 12, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 6, 2023
• Last Verified: October 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Behavior, Addictive; Technology Addiction
• Other Study ID Numbers: buhucgun03

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