Effects of Exergaming and Autogenic Relaxation on Psychological Well-Being in Nursing Home Residents

July 6, 2026 updated by: Mehtap Budak, Cumhuriyet University

The Effect of Exergaming Application and Autogenic Relaxation Technique on Psychological Well-Being and Life Engagement of Nursing Home Residents

This interventional clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of Antroyun (exergaming) and autogenic relaxation techniques on psychological well-being and life engagement among older adults living in nursing homes. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Antroyun intervention group, autogenic relaxation group, and a control group. Interventions were applied twice per week for eight weeks.

The results indicated that both interventions had a significant effect on improving psychological well-being and life engagement. The Antroyun group showed faster and more marked improvements in earlier follow-ups, while the autogenic relaxation group demonstrated sustained benefits in later follow-ups. The control group did not show any significant changes over time. Additionally, in the Antroyun group, the number of game wins was positively correlated with improvements in psychological well-being and life engagement scores.

This study was carried out as part of a doctoral dissertation at Sivas Cumhuriyet University.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study was registered retrospectively due to its nature as a doctoral dissertation and institutional administrative timelines. Although participant enrollment and data collection had already started, the study protocol and outcome measures were pre-specified and ethically approved prior to implementation. No interim analysis was conducted prior to registration. This registration is intended to enhance research transparency and integrity.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

69

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Central
      • Sivas, Central, Turkey (Türkiye), 58140
        • Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Institute of Health Sciences

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 65 years or older
  • Residing in a nursing home
  • Able to communicate and follow instructions
  • Scoring 24 or above on the Standardized Mini Mental Test (SMMT)
  • Voluntary participation and written informed consent obtained

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed with advanced cognitive impairment (SMMT score < 24)
  • Diagnosed with severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, severe depression)
  • Having physical disabilities that prevent participation in the interventions (e.g., immobility, severe visual or auditory loss)
  • Refusal or inability to provide informed consent

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Exergaming Intervention Group
Participants in this group engaged in exergaming sessions using motion-based digital games (e.g., table tennis, boxing, skiing) twice per week for 8 weeks.
Behavioral: Exergaming Intervention Group
A behavioral intervention involving the use of motion-based digital games such as table tennis, boxing, skiing, and bowling. Participants performed exergaming sessions twice per week for eight weeks. Each session lasted approximately 15 minutes and was conducted in pairs under supervision. The intervention aimed to promote physical activity, cognitive engagement, and social interaction among older adults in a nursing home setting.
Experimental: Autogenic Relaxation Intervention Group
Participants in this group practiced autogenic relaxation twice per week for 8 weeks in small groups guided by verbal instructions
Behavioral: Autogenic Relaxation
A behavioral mind-body intervention in which participants practiced standardized verbal relaxation techniques focused on passive concentration and bodily awareness. Sessions were conducted in quiet rooms in small groups, twice per week for eight weeks, each lasting approximately 15 minutes. The goal was to enhance psychological well-being and reduce emotional tension in institutionalized older adults.
No Intervention: Control Group
Participants in this group received no intervention and continued their usual routine.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Psychological Well-Being Score
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 16 (4 follow-ups total)
Psychological well-being was measured using the Elderly Psychological Well-Being Scale. The scale evaluates emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. Higher scores indicate better psychological well-being.
Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 16 (4 follow-ups total)
Change in Life Engagement Score
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 16 (4 follow-ups total)
Life engagement was assessed with the Life Engagement Scale for Older Adults, which measures the degree of purpose, activity, and connectedness perceived by the elderly.
Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 16 (4 follow-ups total)
Standardize Mini Mental Test
Time Frame: Baseline
Cognitive function was evaluated using the Standardized Mini Mental Test (SMMT), which assesses orientation, registration, attention, recall, and language. The test was used to monitor cognitive stability during the study.
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Cumhuriyet University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 2, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 2, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

May 11, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 8, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 6, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2023-04/50

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

No plan to share individual participant data.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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