Acceptability of Physical Therapy Combined with Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure Exergame for Geriatric Hospitalized Patients.

Geriatric hospitalized patients often experience complications associated with frailty and impaired functioning in activities of daily living. To enhance their functional independence, repetitive and continuous high-frequency exercises are necessary. However, conventional physical therapy (PT) can be monotonous and lead to reduced adherence. The introduction of Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure exergame (EG) as a complement to PT for geriatric inpatients has the potential to improve exercise enjoyment and acceptability. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability of combining EG with PT for geriatric inpatients. A total of 30 geriatric inpatients were included in the study, receiving EG+PT on day 1 and PT only on day 2. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed using the Borg scale, whereas enjoyment, motivation to continue, and perceived effectiveness were evaluated through a questionnaire after each exercise session and subsequently compared. The RPE for the lower extremities and the sense of enjoyment (P = 0.06) were found to be higher after the EG+PT session. The results suggest that combining PT with EG can enhance the enjoyment of exercise sessions and facilitate an increase in the intensity and frequency of exercise therapy. Incorporating EGs into geriatric PT holds promise as an effective strategy to improve patient engagement and adherence to exercise regimens. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term benefits and potential applications of EGs in geriatric rehabilitation settings.

Safety, feasibility, and acceptability of physiotherapy combined with strength training using active video games for older patients with musculoskeletal conditions.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of physiotherapy (PT) combined with strength training using active video games (AVG) for older patients with musculoskeletal conditions. METHODS: Sixteen patients underwent AVG + PT on day 1 and only conventional physiotherapy (CPT) on day 2. The AVG was conducted in 6 upper- and lower-limb training performed in standing position using Ring Fit Adventure (RFA) on Nintendo Switch. Outcome measured adverse events and deviant movements associated with the AVG as safety, execution rate of each AVG programme as feasibility, and questionnaires (4-point Likert scale) regarding enjoyment, motivation to continue, and feeling of efficacy as acceptability. RESULTS: The berg balance scale/functional independence measure indicated 45 ± 8/90 ± 16. No adverse events occurred. Some of deviant movements were observed that could be an injury risk, such as a slight forward movement during the stepping exercise. The execution rate for each AVG programme ranged from 81% to 100%. The categories of enjoyment, motivation to continue, and feeling of efficacy had >90% of positive responses (strongly agree, slightly agree) in AVG + PT, and enjoyment tended to be higher in AVG + PT than in CPT. CONCLUSIONS: Strength training using RFA was considered to be a safe and feasible exercise tool enough to be applicable as part of a rehabilitation programme in older patients with musculoskeletal conditions. However, should be supervised, at least during the introductory phase. It was also positively accepted by older adults, suggesting enhanced enjoyment.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONActive video games (AVG) training with Ring Fit Adventure (RFA) was found to be safe enough to be considered for application as part of a rehabilitation programme for older patients with musculoskeletal conditions, but should be supervised, at least during the introductory phase.AVG training comprising strength training with RFA was found to be a highly feasible exercise tool for rehabilitation in older patients with musculoskeletal conditions.Physiotherapy combined with AVG training using RFA was also well received, suggesting enhanced enjoyment for older patients with musculoskeletal conditions.