Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Science and Sport, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec 20;18(24):13422. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182413422.
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.
由于预期寿命的延长，全球 60 岁及以上的人口数量增加。更多的老年人患有“老年巨人症”。行动能力受限，包括无法活动和不稳定，通常伴随着身体和认知能力下降，并可能进一步与步态变化相关。通过虚拟现实运动游戏环境可以提高身体和认知功能。本研究调查了新开发的 VITAAL 运动游戏在 60 岁及以上行动不便的老年人中的可用性。使用混合方法评估可用性，包括可用性协议、系统可用性量表和基于指南的访谈。13 名参与者（9 名女性，80.5±4.9 岁，范围：71-89）测试了运动游戏并完成了测量。系统可用性量表的评分为边缘可接受范围（58.3±16.5，范围：30-85）。可用性协议和基于指南的访谈显示出一般积极的可用性。VITAAL 运动游戏原型获得了积极的反馈，可以被行动受限的老年人认为是可用的。然而，应考虑在系统设计、说明和技术方面进行一些小的改进。研究结果证明了适应多成分 VITAAL 运动游戏的可行性，并且应该研究其对身体和认知功能的影响，与传统训练进行比较。
