Effects of game-based interventions on functional capacity in acutely hospitalised older adults: results of an open-label non-randomised clinical trial

Background: Hospitalisation-associated disability due to reduced physical activity levels and prolonged bedrest episodes are highly prevalent in older adults. Objective: To assess the effect of gamified interventions on functional capacity in hospitalised older adults. Methods: A three-armed non-ran...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Cuevas Lara, César, López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel, Ramírez Vélez, Robinson, Izquierdo Redín, Mikel, Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola, Antoñanzas Valencia, Cristina, Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz, Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício, Martínez Velilla, Nicolás
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/53704
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/53704
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Serious games
Gamification
Functional capacity
Geriatric
Hospitalisation
Older people
Descripción
Sumario:Background: Hospitalisation-associated disability due to reduced physical activity levels and prolonged bedrest episodes are highly prevalent in older adults. Objective: To assess the effect of gamified interventions on functional capacity in hospitalised older adults. Methods: A three-armed non-randomised controlled trial with two experimental intervention groups and a control group was conducted in a tertiary public hospital in Navarre, Spain. Participants were allocated to a simple gamification group (SGG) (n = 21), a technology-based gamification group (TGG) (n = 23) or a control group (CG) (n = 26). The end points were changes in functional capacity, muscle strength, cognition, mood status and quality of life. Results: Seventy patients (mean age 86.01 ± 4.27 years old) were included in the study; 29 (41.4%) were women. At discharge, compared to CG, a mean increase of 1.47 points (95%CI, 0.15–2.80 points) and 2.69 points (95%CI, 1.32–4.06 points) was observed (SGG and TGG, respectively) in the SPPB test; as well as an increase of 5.28 points (95%CI, 0.70–9.76 points) in the Barthel Index and 2.03 kg (95%CI, 0.33–3.72 kg) in handgrip strength in the TGG. Regression mediation analyses demonstrated that muscle strength changes (β = 1.30; 95%CI, 0.45–2.14; indirect effect 0.864; 95%CI, 0.09–1.90) significantly mediated the TGG effect on the SPPB score. Conclusions: The TGG intervention programme may provide significant benefits in physical and muscle function over usual care and seems to reverse the functional decline frequently associated with acute hospitalisation in older adults.