Kinect Adventures versus physical exercise on depressive symptoms of older adults: A pilot study / Kinect Adventures versus exercício físico sobre sintomas depressivos em idosos: Um estudo piloto

Abstract Introduction: Depressive and anxiety disorders are considered the main cause of emotional suffering and decrease of quality of life among older adults. It has been suggested that the practice of physical exercise can be a treatment option for anxiety and depression. Alternative approaches such serious games show promise for reducing depression symptoms. Objective: To compare the effect of virtual reality, in the form of commercially available interactive Kinect Adventures video games, compared to a standard physical exercise program on depressive symptoms of older adults. Method: This is a pilot study, parallel group, single-blind randomized controlled pilot trial that recruited two intervention groups: Interactive Video Game Kinect Adventures (IVG, n=8) versus usual physical exercise program (PEP, n=6). The two groups completed a seven week program with a total of fourteen 60-minute sessions divided into two sessions a week. The IVG completed individual training sessions using the Microsoft Xbox Kinect Adventures games and the PEP performed a group exercise program. Depression symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). This measure was assessed pre-intervention, post intervention and at 30-day follow-up. Results: There was a significant effect of assessment without group effect or interaction between factors, in the GDS-15 (RM-ANOVA, P < 0.0001). Both groups showed improvement in the GDS-15 post intervention assessment that was maintained after 30-day follow-up (Bonferroni post hoc test, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that both Interactive Kinect Adventures video games and physical exercise provide beneficial effects on depressive symptoms of older adults.

Resumo Introdução: Os transtornos depressivos e de ansiedade são considerados a principal causa de sofrimento emocional e diminuição da qualidade de vida de idosos. Foi sugerido que a prática de exercício físico pode ser um tratamento para depressão. Abordagens alternativas, como jogos interativos, podem reduzir sintomas depressivos. Objetivo: Comparar o efeito da realidade virtual, na forma de videogames interativos Kinect Adventures disponíveis comercialmente, em comparação com um programa de exercícios físicos padrão sobre sintomas depressivos de idosos. Método: Trata-se de um estudo piloto, grupos paralelos, experimental, controlado, randomizado, cego através de dois grupos de intervenção: Interactive Video Game Kinect Adventures (IVG, n = 8) versus programa de exercício físico (PEF, n = 6). Os dois grupos completaram um programa de sete semanas com um total de 14 sessões de 60 minutos divididas em duas sessões por semana. O IVG concluiu sessões de treinamento individuais usando os jogos Microsoft Xbox Kinect Adventures e o PEF realizou um programa de exercícios em grupo. Os sintomas de depressão foram mensurados através da Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS-15). Essas medidas foram avaliadas pré-intervenção, pós-intervenção e no seguimento de 30 dias. Resultados: Houve um efeito significativo da avaliação sem efeito grupo ou interação entre fatores, no GDS-15 (RM-ANOVA, P <0,0001). Ambos os grupos apresentaram melhora na avaliação pós-intervenção GDS-15, que foi mantida após 30 dias de acompanhamento (teste post hoc de Bonferroni, P <0,05). Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que os jogos interativos Kinect Adventures e o exercício físico proporcionam efeitos positivos nos sintomas depressivos de idosos.

Reliability, Validity, and Ability to Identity Fall Status of the Berg Balance Scale, Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), Mini-BESTest, and Brief-BESTest in Older Adults Who Live in Nursing Homes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In any given year, 28% to 35% of older adults experience falls. In nursing home environments, the annual rate of falls increases to 30% to 50%. Our objective was to verify and compare the reliability, validity, and ability to identify falls of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), Mini-BESTest, and Brief-BESTest for older adults who live in nursing homes. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Older adults (n = 49; aged 62-90 years; mean = 77.8; standard deviation = 7.2) were recruited from a nonprofit nursing home. All participants were assessed by 2 physiotherapists using the BBS, BESTest, Mini-BESTest, and Brief-BESTest. The interrater and test-retest (7-14 days) reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs [2, 1]). Minimal detectable changes at the 95% confidence level were established. To analyze each test's ability to identify fall status, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, whose statistical significance we verified using the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The diagnostic likelihood ratios (positive and negative) and 95% CI were used to verify posttest probability. We used Fagan's nomogram to show the posttest probability of each balance test. Validity was assessed using kappa coefficients and the prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK). RESULTS: Interrater and test-retest reliability for the total scores were good to excellent across all 4 tests (ICC interrater value = 0.992-0.994 and ICC test-retest value = 0.886-0.945). All tests were also able to identify fall status (AUC = 0.712-0.762) and were in good agreement with each other (kappa coefficient for individuals with fall risk = 0.679-0.957 and individuals with no fall risk = 0.135-0.143; PABAK = 83.7%-98%). CONCLUSION: All balance tests presented similar reliability, reproducibility, and validity. This suggests that any of these tests can be used in clinical practice. However, the Brief-BESTest is the quickest and easiest test to perform.

Effects of Kinect Adventures Games Versus Conventional Physical Therapy on Postural Control in Elderly People: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of Kinect Adventures games versus conventional physiotherapy to improve postural control (PC), gait, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cognition of the elderly. In addition, we evaluated the safety, acceptability, and adherence to the interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a randomized clinical trial in which 46 elderly individuals were selected, mean age 69.3 (5.34) years. Participants were allocated to the Kinect Adventures Training Group (KATG) or the Conventional Physical Therapy Group (CPTG), 23 individuals in each group. Participants of both groups participated in 14 training sessions lasting 1 hour each, twice a week. The KATG practiced four Kinect Adventures games. The CPTG participated in conventional physiotherapy. The primary outcome was PC: Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), and secondary outcomes were gait: Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), cardiorespiratory fitness: Six-minute step test (6MST), and cognition: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Acceptability was assessed through a questionnaire created by the researchers themselves. Adherence was assessed by the "frequency of the number of elderly individuals who completed the interventions and safety through the presence of adverse effects." Participants were assessed immediately pre- and posttreatment and fourth week after the end of the treatment. Statistical analysis was done through repeated-measures analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test. RESULTS: Both groups presented a significant improvement in the PC (Mini-BEST), gait (FGA), and cognition (MoCA) posttreatment that was maintained at fourth week after treatment (post hoc Tukey test; P < 0.05). Regarding cardiorespiratory fitness (6MST), the KATG presented improvement posttreatment and maintenance of the results in the fourth week after treatment. CPTG showed improvement only in fourth week after treatment (post hoc Tukey tests; P < 0.05). Regarding the acceptability, the questionnaire showed that both groups were satisfied with regard to the proposed interventions. There was 91% adherence in both training sessions. Regarding the safety, 34% and 26% of the individuals of the KATG and CPTG, respectively, presented adverse effects of delayed muscle pain in the lower limbs after the first session only. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between the KATG and CPTG; both interventions provided positive effects on PC, gait, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cognition of the elderly.

Biossegurança e aferição de equipamentos de eletrotermofototerapia. Quando devemos fazer? / Biosafety and electrothermal measurement equipment. When we must make it?

Introdução: A eletrotermofototerapia tem sido amplamente utilizada nas últimas décadas no tratamento de afecções músculo-esqueléticas. Objetivos: Investigar a importância da aferição periódica dos aparelhos de eletrotermofototerapia e discutir suas questões de biossegurança. Métodos: Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura por meio de artigos científicos nacionais e internacionais que relatassem questões de aferição dos equipamentos. Resultados: O uso de aparelhos descalibrados pode levar a uma terapia ineficiente, influenciando na duração do tratamento estipulado. Aparelhos usados sem devida aferição podem levar a conseqüências deletérias aos usuários. Conclusão: A falta de aferição causa malefícios à saúde tanto do paciente como do fisioterapeuta.