Exergames to Prevent the Secondary Functional Deterioration of Older Adults during Hospitalization and Isolation Periods during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ana Isabel Corregidor-Sánchez, Begoña Polonio-López, José Luis Martin-Conty, Marta Rodríguez-Hernández, Laura Mordillo-Mateos, Santiago Schez-Sobrino and Juan José Criado-Álvarez
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Ana Isabel Corregidor-Sánchez: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Real Fábrica de Sedas, s/n, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
Begoña Polonio-López: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Real Fábrica de Sedas, s/n, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
José Luis Martin-Conty: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Real Fábrica de Sedas, s/n, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
Marta Rodríguez-Hernández: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Real Fábrica de Sedas, s/n, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
Laura Mordillo-Mateos: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Real Fábrica de Sedas, s/n, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
Santiago Schez-Sobrino: Faculty of Computer Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Paseo de la Universidad 4, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Juan José Criado-Álvarez: Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-13

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic is having an intense impact on the functional capacity of older adults, making them more vulnerable to frailty and dependency. The development of preventive and rehabilitative measures which counteract the consequences of confinement or hospitalization is an urgent need. Exergaming can promote physical activity, prevent falls, and maintain functional and cognitive capacity. However, although the use of exergames in health programs for the elderly is promising, their widespread use should not be considered without the supervision of a social health professional. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate and analyze three video game consoles (Nintendo Wii ® , Xbox-Kinect ® and Play Station 4 ® ) and 26 commercial exergames with the aim of identifying their usefulness for the prevention of functional deterioration. Three occupational therapists analyzed the data independently, and subsequently agreed on the results. The examination of the commercial consoles met three criteria: components, interaction channels and the type of the exergame. Each exergame was analyzed taking into account its ability to train postural control, balance, upper limb functionality and cognitive function. The results of the evaluation showed that exergames contain game activities that can be part of the rehabilitative treatment aimed at the prevention of the functional impairment of older people affected by COVID.

Keywords: virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET); exergames; rehabilitation; improve functional capacity; SARS-CoV-2; post-COVID syndrome; older adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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