Usability Study of a Multicomponent Exergame Training for Older Adults with Mobility Limitations

Melanie Thalmann, Lisa Ringli, Manuela Adcock, Nathalie Swinnen, Jacqueline de Jong, Chantal Dumoulin, Vânia Guimarães and Eling D. de Bruin
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Melanie Thalmann: Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Science and Sport, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
Lisa Ringli: Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Science and Sport, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
Manuela Adcock: Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Science and Sport, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
Nathalie Swinnen: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
Jacqueline de Jong: Physio SPArtos, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland
Chantal Dumoulin: School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
Vânia Guimarães: Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Eling D. de Bruin: Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Science and Sport, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-22

Abstract: The global population aged 60 years and over rises due to increasing life expectancy. More older adults suffer from “geriatric giants”. Mobility limitations, including immobility and instability, are usually accompanied by physical and cognitive decline, and can be further associated with gait changes. Improvements in physical and cognitive functions can be achieved with virtual reality exergame environments. This study investigated the usability of the newly developed VITAAL exergame in mobility-impaired older adults aged 60 years and older. Usability was evaluated with a mixed-methods approach including a usability protocol, the System Usability Scale, and a guideline-based interview. Thirteen participants (9 female, 80.5 ± 4.9 years, range: 71–89) tested the exergame and completed the measurement. The System Usability Scale was rated in a marginal acceptability range (58.3 ± 16.5, range: 30–85). The usability protocol and the guideline-based interview revealed general positive usability. The VITAAL exergame prototype received positive feedback and can be considered usable by older adults with mobility limitations. However, minor improvements to the system in terms of design, instructions, and technical aspects should be taken into account. The results warrant testing of the feasibility of the adapted multicomponent VITAAL exergame, and its effects on physical and cognitive functions, in comparison with conventional training, should be studied.

Keywords: exergame; mobility limitations; usability; fall prevention; geriatric giants; healthy ageing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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