Effectiveness of a Program Using Video Games Associated With Conventional Physiotherapy in Physical Functioning in Frail Elderly Compared to Conventional Physiotherapy

Summary

Frailty is a highly prevalent condition, reaching approximately 7% to 30% of older adults aged from 65 up to 80 years \[2\]. Although exercises seemed to be beneficial for the frail elders, there is still insufficient evidence to indicate the appropriate modality, frequency and intensity of physical exercises that were able to improve physical functioning in this population \[9\]. The virtual reality (VR) using interactive games (exergames) have generated broad scientific and clinical interest in recent years\[10\]. Studies indicate that older adults can benefit from training with exergames in improving mobility \[12, 13\], lower limb strength \[14\], cognition, particularly executive function \[13\], body balance \[10, 15-18\], reaction time \[12\] and may contribute indirectly to prevent falls \[10, 19, 20\]. But, there is still insufficient evidence to suggest that the use of exergames are superior even to other types of intervention \[21-23\] or in combination with conventional physiotherapy \[24\] The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of adding exercises using interactive videogames (exergames) in improving physical functioning on frail and pre frail older people when compared to conventional physiotherapy. A parallel randomized clinical with a 6 month follow-up period will be conducted with 82 frail community dwelling older adults. Participants randomized to the Experimental Group will be submitted to 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy and 20 minutes of therapy using interactive games Xbox 360 Video Game and Entertainment Microsoft System with Kinect sensor.

The Control Group will receive 50 minutes of conventional physiotherapy. Both groups will receive 50 minutes of intervention twice a week for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes will be assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery, the Usual walking speed test and Four Step Square Test in the baseline, 3 and 6 months after that.

Conditions

• Frail Elderly

Interventions

OTHER

Exergames and conventional physiotherapy

The protocol of conventional physiotherapy will be customized and will include exercises to improve strength and muscle power, flexibility, mobility, balance, and aerobic conditioning exercises. In particular cases, when necessary analgesia will be used to relive pain. The progression of the exercises will be individualized according to the treatment plan established in the initial functional assessment and will be target to meet patient's improvement during treatment. Conventional physiotherapy will be conducted in pairs. In this group exercises that are best accomplished using virtual scenarios, such as dual task exercises, anticipatory adjustments exercises and inter limb coordination exercises will be performed using video games.

OTHER

Conventional physiotherapy

The protocol of conventional physiotherapy will be customized and will include exercises to improve strength and muscle power, flexibility, mobility, balance, and aerobic conditioning exercises. In particular cases, when necessary analgesia will be used to relive pain. The progression of the exercises will be individualized according to the treatment plan established in the initial functional assessment and will be target to meet patient's improvement during treatment. Conventional physiotherapy will be conducted in pairs. In this group dual task exercises, anticipatory adjustments exercises and inter limb coordination exercises will be performed without the virtual environment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidade Cidade de Sao Paulo

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Monica R Perracini, Phd · Universidade Cidade de Sao Paulo

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-10-31

Primary Completion

2018-10-31

Completion

2018-12-31

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations