Does a Nintendo Wii exercise program provide similar exercise demands as a traditional pulmonary rehabilitation program in adults with COPD?

Abstract

Gaming technology can provide an exercise program that has similar cardiovascular demands to traditional pulmonary rehabilitation programs for patients with COPD. Further research is necessary to address feasibility and long-term adherence.

Active Video Games for Rehabilitation in Respiratory Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)

“…For example, Kuys et al [27] reported that both the Nintendo Wii TM intervention and the treadmill or bicycle control exercise were rated highly effective and feasible without significantly differences between the two interventions. Similarly, LeGear et al [29] reported similar responses between game exercise and treadmill exercise for perceived safety and whether the participants could see themselves performing that exercise at home. Using a 7-item, 7-level Likert-type scale, Mazzoleni et al [63] reported no significant difference between the acceptability of pulmonary rehabilitation alone (43.9±3.0) or with active video gaming as an adjunct (42.4±3.5).…”

“…There were five studies [27][28][29]56,58] which examined acute effects of a single session of AVGs. For most of these the active video game was compared to traditional exercises [27][28][29]61], though some compared AVGs to maximal [58] or submaximal exercise tests [56].…”

“…For most of these the active video game was compared to traditional exercises [27][28][29]61], though some compared AVGs to maximal [58] or submaximal exercise tests [56].…”

“…showing that games were generally considered likeable and feasible interventions [27,29,60,63]. For example, Kuys et al [27] reported that both the Nintendo Wii TM intervention and the treadmill or bicycle control exercise were rated highly effective and feasible without significantly differences between the two interventions.…”

“…The results of individual studies have indicated that a single session of an AVG may be more enjoyable than traditional exercise in subjects with CF [27,28] and COPD [29], in keeping with a systematic review which concluded that AVGs are considered enjoyable by many different populations of subjects undergoing rehabilitation [25]. Given the significant positive correlation between affective judgment (such as enjoyment) and frequency of physical activity in healthy adults [30,31], it is likely that interventions which improve enjoyment of exercise will improve adherence to exercise.…”