Effectiveness of exergames for improving mobility and balance in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Background: Exergaming is a fun, engaging, and interactive form of exercising and it may help overcome some of the traditional exercise barriers and help improve adherence by older adults providing therapeutic applications for balance recovery and functional mobility. The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the effects of exergames in older adults’ mobility and balance. Methods: The PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. The following databases were searched from inception to August 2019: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro, CINAHL and INSPEC. We selected randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of exergames on balance or mobility of older adults without neurological conditions, in comparison to no intervention or health education. Two review authors independently screened the trials titles and abstracts and identified trials for inclusion according to the eligibility criteria. Trial selection presented an almost perfect agreement between the authors regarding the interrater reliability (kappa = 0.84; p<0,001). Then, a descriptive analysis of the quantitative data was performed to summarize the evidence. Meta-analysis was carried using Revman. Random effects model was used to compute the pooled prevalence at 95% confidence interval. Results: After screening 822 trials, twelve trials comparing exergames with no intervention were included. A total of 1520 older adults participated in the studies, with mean age of 76±6 years for the experimental group and 76±5 years for the control group. Three studies found significant improvements in balance based on center of pressure sway and Berg Balance Scale scores. Three studies found improved mobility based on the timed up and go, 30-second chair stand, and 8-foot up and go test. Conclusions: Exergames improved balance and mobility in older adults without neurological disorders. High quality studies with standardized assessment protocols are necessary to improve evidence.

Assessing the Clinical Effectiveness of an Exergame-Based Exercise Training Program Using Ring Fit Adventure to Prevent and Postpone Frailty and Sarcopenia Among Older Adults in Rural Long-Term Care Facilities: Randomized Controlled Trial

“…While the clinical effectiveness of the allocation of exergames among communitydwelling elders is recognized [20,21], their efficacy within LTCFs remains underexplored. Most research focuses on improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), cognitive functions, and overall functional status [22,23].…”

Exergames to Improve Rehabilitation for Shoulder Injury: Systematic Review and GRADE Evidence Synthesis

“…To date, exergames have been used more with older adults or for people with neurological disorders (Chao et al, 2015;Garcia-Munoz & Casuso-Holgado, 2019;Janhunen et al, 2021;Prosperini et al, 2021;Reis et al, 2019), although there is some growth in their use in patients with musculoskeletal disorders (Byra & Czernicki, 2020;Fernandes et al, 2021). Exergames have been implemented to meet the rehabilitation needs of populations in specific contexts, such as in reducing frailties (Zheng et al, 2020), increasing strength (Viana et al, 2021), decreasing pain (Collado-Mateo et al, 2018), improving mobility and balance (Pacheco et al, 2020), minimizing anxiety (Viana et al, 2020), and increasing quality of life (Cugusi et al, 2021).…”