GAME-BASED EXERCISES IN ELDERLY: FUN WAY TO BETTER BALANCE AND COGNITION

B. Gurpinar¹, M.C. Karabulut², N. Ilcin³, H. Donat Tuna³

¹Izmir University of Economics: Faculty of Health Science, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey, ²Dokuz Eylul University, Institue of Health Sciences, Izmir, Turkey, ³Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey

Background: Balance and cognitive problems are two main topics in geriatric rehabilitation. These two topics are very demanding and challenging as they are multifactorial yet the group has decreased exercise tolerance. Therefore, exercise models with multiple targets are essential also the exercises should involve fun and active engagement to facilitate neural plasticity. The importance of games is well known in childhood development to improve physical and cognitive ability, so it may have additional benefits in geriatric rehabilitation. The literature on game-based exercises is scarce in elderly population and the existing ones are mostly on computer-based games.

Purpose: The aim the study is to investigate the effects of specifically targeted game-based group exercises in geriatric population. Games were designed targeting different neurocognitive domains namely; Language, Perceptual–motor function, Learning and memory, Executive functions, Complex attention and Social cognition as well as physical aims such as walking, changing directions, improving normal range of motion and strength.

Methods: Fourteen older adults were enrolled in the study. Game-based exercises were delivered as 90 minutes group exercises twice a week for eight weeks. Pre- and post-program measurements were collected for cognitive functions with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) where static (postural sway) and dynamic (limits of stability) balance were evaluated by Biodex Balance System (BBS). Additionally, participants were asked to evaluate the enjoyment of the program on 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results: All participants (median 73 yrs) concluded eight weeks of training without adverse side effect. Pre and post intervention values showed that there is a statistically significant increase in cognitive functions total score of MoCA (p=0.001). The differences in each domain were found as following; visuospatial/executive functioning (p=0.002), naming (p=0.014), attention (p=0.096), language (p=0.034), abstraction (p=0.317), memory (p=0.001), and orientation (p=0.564).
BBS scores showed that both static overall sway score (p=0.036) and dynamic balance overall score (p=0.001) was improved after game-based exercises.
Participants reported high level of enjoyment after the 8 weeks of exercise intervention (VAS median 100mm).

Conclusions: Through our study, 8 weeks of specifically targeted game-based group exercises program, whether it be cognitive functions or balance training, is evidenced to bring significant benefits to elderlies. Game-based group exercises are promising and entertaining exercise design for cognitive and balance training. In future games for different ages and levels of cognition could be designed.

Implications: Specifically targeted game-based group exercises in geriatric population could be a fun and entertaining way of improving balance and cognitive functions.

Funding acknowledgements: This study received no funding.

Keywords:
Elderly
Game
Exercises

Topics:
Older people
Disability & rehabilitation

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Dokuz Eylul University

Committee: Ethics Committee of Dokuz Eylul University

Ethics number: 44823