scholarly journals A Bowling Exergame to Improve Functional Capacity in Older Adults: Co-Design, Development, and Testing to Compare the Progress of Playing Alone Versus Playing With Peers

10.2196/23423 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e23423
Author(s):  
Jorge Luiz Andrade Da Silva Júnior ◽  
Daiana Biduski ◽  
Ericles Andrei Bellei ◽  
Osvaldo Henrique Cemin Becker ◽  
Luciane Daroit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
Design Development ◽  
User Testing ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Commercial Sources ◽  
General Physical ◽  
Motivational Resources

Background Older people often do not meet the recommended levels of exercise required to reduce functional decline. Social interaction is mentioned by this cohort as a reason for joining group-based exercises, which does not occur when exercising alone. This perspective shows that exergames can be used as motivational resources. However, most available exergames are generic, obtained from commercial sources, and usually not specifically designed or adapted for older people. Objective In this study, we aim to co-design and develop a new exergame alongside older participants to (1) tailor the game mechanics and optimize participants’ adherence to and enjoyment of exercise; (2) test the participants’ functional capacity, motivation, and adherence to the exergaming program; and (3) compare these scores between those who played alone and those who played with peers. Methods We conducted a co-design process to develop a new exergame adapted to older people. For user testing, 23 participants were divided into 2 groups to play individually (alone group) or to compete in pairs (with peers group). They played the game twice a week, resulting in 21 exergaming sessions. We assessed the participants’ General Physical Fitness Index (GPFI) before and after the user testing. We also administered questionnaires about the gaming experience and exercise adherence with its motivators and barriers. Results We introduced a new bowling exergame for Xbox with a Kinect motion sensor that can be played in single or multiplayer mode. For the GPFI measurements, the sample was homogeneous in the pretest (with peers group: mean 40.5 [SD 9.6], alone group: mean 33.9 [SD 7.8]; P=.11). After the exergame testing sessions, both groups had significant gains (with peers group: mean 57.5 [SD 8.7], P=.005; alone group: mean 44.7 [SD 10.6]; P=.02). Comparing the posttest between groups, it was found that the group in which participants played with peers had better outcomes than the group in which participants played alone (P=.02). Regarding the gaming experience and exercise adherence, both groups recognized the benefits and expressed enthusiasm toward the exergame. Conclusions The findings suggest that the developed exergame helps in improving the functional capacity and adherence to physical exercise among older people, with even better results for those who played with peers. In addition to leading to more appropriate products, a co-design approach may positively influence the motivation and adherence of participants.

scholarly journals "Playing Alone is Good, But Playing With Peers is Even Better": Co-Design, Development, and Testing of a Bowling Exergame to Improve Functional Capacity of Elderly People (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Luiz Andrade Da Silva Júnior ◽  
Daiana Biduski ◽  
Ericles Andrei Bellei ◽  
Osvaldo Henrique Cemin Becker ◽  
Luciane Daroit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Commercial Sources ◽  
General Physical

BACKGROUND Elderly people often do not meet the recommended levels of exercise required to reduce functional decline. Social interaction is mentioned by these people as a reason for joining group-based exercises, which does not occur when exercising alone. In this perspective, exergames can be used as a motivational resource. However, most of the exergames available are generic and obtained from commercial sources, usually not specifically designed or adapted for the elderly. OBJECTIVE First, we intended to co-design and develop a new exergame alongside elderly participants to tailor the game mechanics and optimize their adherence and enjoyment for exercise. Afterward, we tested the participant's functional capacity, motivation, and adherence to the exergaming program while comparing these scores between those who played alone and those who played with peers. METHODS We conducted a co-design process to develop a new exergame adapted to the elderly. For user testing, 23 participants were divided into two groups to play individually (Alone Group) or competing in pairs (With Peers Group). They played the game twice a week, resulting in 21 exergaming sessions. We assessed the participants’ General Physical Fitness Index before and after the intervention. We also applied questionnaires about the gaming experience and exercise adherence with its motivators and barriers. RESULTS We introduced a new bowling exergame for Xbox with a Kinect motion sensor that can be played in a single or multi-player mode. After the exergaming sessions, both groups showed a statistically significant improvement in functional capacity. Participants recognized the benefits and expressed enthusiasm towards the exergame. Considering adherence to physical exercise, both groups had improvements and showed interest in playing together. Still, when analyzing the post-test between groups, the With Peers Group had better outcomes than the Alone Group. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that the developed exergame is effective in improving functional capacity and adherence to physical exercise of the elderly, with even better results for those who played with peers. Besides leading to more appropriate products, a co-design approach may positively influence the motivation and adherence of participants to elicit better health outcomes. CLINICALTRIAL

EFEITOS DO DEEP RUNNING SOBRE A AMPLITUDE DE MOVIMENTO E A CAPACIDADE FUNCIONAL DOS MEMBROS SUPERIORES DE MULHERES MASTECTOMIZADAS: RELATO DE CASOS

2019 ◽  
pp. 121-131
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Range Of Movement ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Before And After ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
And Function

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Brazil and in the worl. The surgical treatment procedure may cause severe morbidity in the upper limb homolateral to surgery, including the reduction of the range of motion, with consequent impairment of function. A physiotherapeutic approach has an important role in the recover range of motion and the functionality of these women, guaranteeing the occupational, domestestic, familiar and conjugated activities, and, in this way, also improving the quality of life. Objectives: To analyse chances in the shoulder's range of motion and the functional capacity of the upper limbs, promoted by the deep running procedure in women with late postoperative mastectomy. Methods: All the patients were submitted to an evaluation in the beginning and end of the treatment, including: goniometry of flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal and external rotation of the shoulder joint; and function capacity analysis in activities that involve the upper members by DASH questionnaire. The treatment protocol includes twelve sessions of deep running, realized twice a week, in deep pool, for 20-minute during six weeks. Results: Were submitted to treatment a total of 4 patients. Despite the improvement in the numerical values, statistically significant differences were not found on the range of movements and in the functional capacity of upper members before and after the deep running sessions in post-mastectomy women. Conclusion: Deep running had effects on the numerical values of range of movement and upper limb functionality in women in the late postoperative period of the mastectomy procedure, but without statistically significant differences.

Long-term trajectories of decline in cognition and daily functioning before and after stroke

2021 ◽  
pp. jnnp-2021-326043
Author(s):  
Alis Heshmatollah ◽  
Lisanne J. Dommershuijsen ◽  
Lana Fani ◽  
Peter J. Koudstaal ◽  
M. Arfan Ikram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Daily Functioning ◽  
Linear Mixed Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
State Examination

ObjectiveAlthough knowledge on poststroke cognitive and functional decline is increasing, little is known about the possible decline of these functions before stroke. We determined the long-term trajectories of cognition and daily functioning before and after stroke.MethodsBetween 1990 and 2016, we repeatedly assessed cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), 15-Word Learning, Letter–Digit Substitution, Stroop, Verbal Fluency, Purdue Pegboard) and basic and instrumental activities of daily living (BADL and IADL) in 14 712 participants within the population-based Rotterdam Study. Incident stroke was assessed through continuous monitoring of medical records until 2018. We matched participants with incident stroke to stroke-free participants (1:3) based on sex and birth year. Trajectories of cognition and daily functioning of patients who had a stroke 10 years before and 10 years after stroke and the corresponding trajectories of stroke-free individuals were constructed using adjusted linear mixed effects models.ResultsDuring a mean follow-up of 12.5±6.8 years, a total of 1662 participants suffered a first-ever stroke. Patients who had a stroke deviated from stroke-free controls up to 10 years before stroke diagnosis in cognition and daily functioning. Significant deviations before stroke were seen in scores of MMSE (6.4 years), Stroop (5.7 years), Purdue Pegboard (3.8 years) and BADL and IADL (2.2 and 3.0 years, respectively).ConclusionPatients who had a stroke have steeper declines in cognition and daily functioning up to 10 years before their first-ever stroke compared with stroke-free individuals. Our findings suggest that accumulating intracerebral pathology already has a clinical impact before stroke.

scholarly journals FIELD MEASUREMENTS ON RUNWAY FRICTION DECAY RELATED TO RUBBER DEPOSITS

Transport ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario De Luca ◽  
Francesco Abbondati ◽  
Thomas J. Yager ◽  
Gianluca Dell’Acqua
Keyword(s):  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Pavement Surface ◽  
Vulcanized Rubber ◽  
Before And After

Surfaces of airport pavements are subject to contamination that can be very dangerous for the movement of aircraft particularly on the runway. A recurrent problem is represented by the deposits of vulcanized rubber of aircraft tires in the touchdown area during landings and lesser during take-offs. This causes a loss of grip that compromises the safety of aircraft movements in take-off and landing operations. This study deals with the surface characteristics decay phenomenon related to contamination from rubber deposits. The experiment was conducted by correlating the pavement surface characteristics, as detected by Grip Tester, to air traffic before and after de-rubberizing operation and two models were constructed for the assessment of functional capacity of the runway before and after the operations de-rubberizing.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postprandial Hypotension Among Japanese Older Adults in a Facility

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 222-222
Author(s):  
Noriko Suzuki ◽  
Masahiko Hashizume ◽  
Hideyuki Shiotani
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Baseline Body Mass Index ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Postprandial Hypotension ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Japanese Older Adults

Abstract Postprandial hypotension (PPH) is an unrecognized sudden drop of blood pressure (BP) after meals and a hidden problem among older people including those living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Though PPH causes dizziness, falls, and syncope, it has received little attention from¬¬¬ healthcare workers (HCW) including caregivers, nurses and physicians, and risk factors of PPH should be carefully assessed to improve quality of life. Therefore, we aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors of PPH in a LTCF in Japan. Participants were 114 older adults living in a LTCF in Japan (mean age 85.9 years old; 85 female (74%)). To examine PPH, blood pressure (BP) was measured before and after lunch. BP after meal was measured four times every 30 minutes. PPH is defined as a BP drop of 20 mmHg or more and we also defined a BP drop within a range of 19 to 15 mmHg as potential-PPH. As risk factors, we compared systolic and diastolic BP at baseline, body mass index, pulse rate, disease and complications between groups with/without PPH. The prevalence of PPH was 41% (47/114) and 52% with potential-PPH; 11% (13/114) added. Among risk factors, systolic BP was significantly higher in those with PPH (142.6 vs 123.5 mmHg, p <0.001). This study revealed that PPH & potential-PPH occurred in half of the subjects in a LTCF in Japan. HCW need to focus on high systolic BP to predict PPH and future research is necessary to prevent and cope with PPH for older people.

The effects of breathing exercises on respiratory functions, functional capacity and quality of life in vehicle spray painters

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Burak Yilmaz ◽  
Cagtay Maden ◽  
Begümhan Turhan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Respiratory Exercises

Background/aims Workers engaged in vehicle spray painting are at a risk of developing respiratory problems because of the solvents in the spray paints. Changes in respiratory functions and functional capacities caused by spray painting can be improved with respiratory exercises. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of respiratory exercises on the respiratory functions, functional capacity and quality of life in vehicle spray painters. Methods A total of 70 volunteers with similar characteristics participated in the study. The groups were divided into two groups randomly (35 study group, 35 control group). Respiratory functions (value of forced expiratory volume percentage in 1 second [FEV1]), forced vital capacity percentage [FVC], FEV1/FVC percentage, peak expiratory flow percentage [PEF (%)] and maximum voluntary ventilation percentage [MVV (%)]), functional capacity (6-Minute Walk Test) and quality of life (Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]) were evaluated. The study group undertook supervised breathing exercises 3 days a week for 6 weeks. The same exercises were given to the control group as a home programme. Home programmes were followed up by telephone calls. Evaluations were performed again after 6 weeks. Results In the study group, FEV1 (%) increased more than in the control group (P<0.05). The increase in PEF (%) was similar in both groups (P>0.05). In the study group, FEV1/FVC (%) and MVV (%) were significantly different before and after the intervention (P<0.05), but there was no difference in the control group (P>0.05). There was a greater increase in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). 6-Minute Walk Test distance (m) before and after the intervention in both groups were similar (P>0.05). Before and after the intervention, a significant difference was found in the vitality and the social function domains of the SF-36 in the study group. In the comparisons of groups, a significant difference was found in the study group in the role-emotional, social function and bodily pain domains of the SF-36 after the intervention (P<0.05). Conclusions Breathing exercises can be recommended for vehicle spray painters to avoid an increase in respiratory resistance and to improve their quality of life.

scholarly journals Benefits of Equine-Based Therapy for Individuals with Dementia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lauren Fearn
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Energy Level ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equine Assisted

Individuals living with dementia typically experience progressive, cognitive, and functional decline which limits their ability to communicate and fully perform activities (Pimouguet el al., 2019). Horses have been shown to benefit individuals with dementia by improving well-being, physical health, functional capacity, and social relationships (Fields et. al., 2019). A 6-week OT-based virtual equine-assisted activities program was conducted to determine if participation in equine-assisted activities could improve the quality of life of individuals with dementia. Outcomes of the program resulted in improvements in mood, energy level, engagement, communication, memory, socialization, and overall quality of life.

scholarly journals Muscle Thickness and Echo Intensity by Ultrasonography and Cognitive and Physical Dimensions in Older Adults

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1471
Author(s):  
Alvaro Mateos-Angulo ◽  
Alejandro Galán-Mercant ◽  
Antonio Ignacio Cuesta-Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Echo Intensity ◽  
Physical Dimensions

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations between muscle thickness and echo intensity with cognitive and physical dimensions like functional capacity measured in older people. This cross-sectional study involved 20 older adults (15 women and 5 men, mean age ± SD: 85 ± 7 years, body mass index: 25 ± 3 kg/m2) from a geriatric centre in Malaga (Spain). Anthropometric measurements, cognitive assessment with Pfeiffer Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and Motor Memory test, Physical Performance with Short Physical Performance Battery, and muscle strength were tested. Additionally, using B-mode ultrasonography, images of wrist flexors, biceps brachii, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, medial gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior were captured, and muscle thickness and echo intensity variables were extracted. An association between muscle parameters assessed by ultrasonography and cognitive and physical dimensions were found in older people. Echo intensity was the best predictor in a set of regression models with different muscle parameters and a battery of cognitive and physical tests in older people. Echo intensity adjusted by handgrip strength could be a low cost and ambulatory index and an indirect and reversible indicator of functional capacity.

scholarly journals Effects of Nurse and Care Worker-led Foot-Care Program on Older People’s Foot Conditions: Before and After Intervention Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 237796082110584
Author(s):  
Kashiko Fujii ◽  
Minna Stolt ◽  
Takuyuki Komoda ◽  
Mariko Nishikawa
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Day Care ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Foot Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Foot Health ◽  
Day Care Centers ◽  
Before And After

Introduction An increasing number of older people with frailty in Japan use geriatric day care centers. Older people who have been certified as requiring long-term care attend centers during the day and receive nursing care help with bathing, excretion, meals, and functional training services. Many older people have foot problems with need foot care by nurses and care workers (NCWs) at geriatric day care centers. Objective This study explored the effects of NCWs’ foot-care programs on the foot conditions of older people attending daytime services. Methods A before-after intervention study was conducted at geriatric day care centers for older people, where the foot-care program was presented by NCWs for two months. The foot conditions of 23 clients (8 men, 15 women, mean age = 78.6 years, standard deviation = 9.2) were assessed before and after the program. Changes in foot condition and clients’ perceptions after the study were analyzed through descriptive statistics, McNemar, and paired t-tests. Results Although dramatic changes in foot conditions were not observed, some conditions were improved or maintained. Changes were observed in mean dry skin scores ( p < .01; right foot: 1.6→1.1, left foot: 1.6→1.1), skin lesions and long nails (skin lesions R: 0.2→0.1; long nail R: 1.4→1.0, L: 1.1→0.8), and edema (R: 43.5%→39.1%, L: 52.2%→47.8%). Further, clients started perceiving that foot health is important and discussed their feet with staff more often. Conclusion The NCWs’ foot-care program was effective in maintaining and improving foot health in older people and positively affected their perception of foot care.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document