Open AccessExergaming to Improve Balance and Decrease the Risk of Falling in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study
Author(s) -
Donald Manlapaz,
Gisela Sole,
Prasath Jayakaran,
Cathy Chapple
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
the philippine journal of physical therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2766-3086
DOI - 10.46409/002.aigd7826
Subject(s) - physical therapy , balance (ability) , falling (accident) , osteoarthritis , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , focus group , intervention (counseling) , psychology , alternative medicine , nursing , environmental health , pathology , marketing , business
Aim: To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of exergaming using Nintendo Wii Fit™ to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods: A mixed-methods, explanatory sequential study design was utilized in this study. Participants with knee OA and a history of falling participated in a 16-week single-group pre-post experimental study design (eight weeks of usual care and exergaming program). This was followed by semi-structured focus groups to ask about the feasibility and acceptability of the study. Results: The pre-defined feasibility criteria such as recruitment, retention (83%), and compliance (78%) were successfully met. This was affirmed by the participant's views on the procedures of the study in terms of the frequency and duration of the assessment and intervention sessions, which they reported to be acceptable. The study demonstrated that it is safe to use Nintendo Wii Fit™ as an exergaming tool as no adverse events were reported. Participants enjoyed playing Wii Fit™ games and found exergaming motivating and interactive despite some barriers to using technology.Conclusion and Implications: The study appears feasible and safe, with some modifications that need to be considered in future research. Given the findings of this study, future research should employ a similar rigorous study design. The potential of this technology for helping to motivate and challenge participants to increase adherence to exercise could ultimately result in better outcomes and self-management of the condition.