Use of an interactive video gaming program compared with conventional physiotherapy for hospitalised older adults: a feasibility trial
Date
2012
Authors
Laver, K.
George, S.
Ratcliffe, J.
Quinn, S.
Whitehead, C.
Davies, O.
Crotty, M.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Disability and Rehabilitation, 2012; 34(21):1802-1808
Statement of Responsibility
Kate Laver, Stacey George, Julie Ratcliffe, Steve Quinn, Craig Whitehead, Owen Davies and Maria Crotty
Conference Name
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of a physiotherapy intervention using an interactive gaming program compared with conventional physiotherapy for hospitalised older people. METHODS: Randomised controlled pilot study in a geriatric rehabilitation unit within an acute public hospital. Participants were randomly allocated to physiotherapy using an interactive gaming program (n = 22) or conventional physiotherapy in a ward-based gym (n = 22). Feasibility was assessed by comparing the effects of the intervention on clinical outcome measures (primary outcome: mobility as assessed by the Timed Up and Go test, secondary outcomes: safety, adherence levels, eligibility and consent rates). RESULTS: Participants (n = 44) had a mean age of 85 years (SD 4.5) and the majority (80%) were women. Univariable analyses showed no significant difference between groups following intervention. However, multivariable analyses suggested that participants using the interactive gaming program improved more on the Timed Up and Go test (p = 0.048) than participants receiving conventional physiotherapy. There were no serious adverse events and high levels of adherence to therapy were evident in both groups. Only a small proportion of patients screened were recruited to the study. CONCLUSIONS: In this feasibility study, the use of a commercially available interactive gaming program by physiotherapists with older people in a hospital setting was safe and adherence levels were comparable with conventional therapy. Preliminary results suggest that further exploration of approaches using games as therapy for older people could include commonly used measures of balance and function.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Published online: 12 Mar 2012
Link to a related website: https://dspace.flinders.edu.au/xmlui/bitstream/2328/27807/1/Laver_Interactive_MS2012.pdf, Open Access via Unpaywall
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© 2012 Informa UK, Ltd.