Digital Gaming Intervention for Older People in Long-term Care

Older people in long-term care (LTC) are often less physically active than their community-dwelling peers. Low physical activity level is associated with more symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as with lower physical performance. This weakens coping with daily activities and increases the care costs. Earlier research have found that playing digital games that require physical activity affects positively functioning of older people. Playing can increase physical activity, improve balance and walking speed, lift the mood and create opportunities for social interaction. The effects of digital gaming, especially on objectively measured physical activity and social functioning, are still unclear.

The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of digital gaming intervention with Yetitablet to physical, psychological and social functioning and activity of older people in long-term care environment.

This study investigates the effectiveness of the Yetitablet in improving the functioning of older people. Yetitablet is an assistive technology device developed for special groups. Yetitablet is a large interactive touchscreen tablet with 55" screen and with Android operating system and it includes numerous applications. Yetitablet has mobile stand on wheels, which allows the screen to be raised and lowered, as well as tilted as needed, all the way to a desk position. Applications can be downloaded to the device from the Google Play Store, and it also has its own game applications, such as darts, table hockey and memory game. These games can be played individually or in group. There is no previous scientific research on the effectiveness of the Yetitablet on the functioning and activity of older people in long-term care settings.

Sample size calculation was completed based on an effect size of 0.3 (power = 0.80; α= 0.05). Assuming a 25% attrition rate, a total of 70 residents will be recruited (35 people in a control group and 35 people in the intervention group). Participants will be recruited from LTC facilities for older people in the region of Oulu in northern Finland. Facilities will be selected by purposeful sampling. Participants will be selected by personnel of the facilities purposefully based on the inclusion criteria.

After being informed about the study all suitable residents willing to participate in this study will undergo baseline functional testing on week 0. Same functional measurements will be conducted after three month intervention period. Baseline physical activity will be measured by activity tracker during one week before intervention and during the intervention (3 months). In addition, approximately 10-15 LTC facility personnel will be recruited for semi-structured group interviews to understand more of the effects of Yetitablet to psychological and social functioning as well as social activity of LTC residents. The interviews will also clarify the staff's experiences of using the Yetitablet and its suitability for the everyday life of the facility.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* lives in a long-term care facility for older people participating in the study
* has sufficient cognitive ability to understand the purpose of the study
* is able to walk (with or without walking aid) the distance required by physical functioning tests (10m)
* no illness restricting light exercise
* no serious, acute illness
* sufficient cognitive skills to understand game instructions
* sufficient functionality of the upper limbs to use the touch screen

Exclusion Criteria:

* unable to move independently even with walking aid
* severe memory disorder or other acute illness
* unable to understand game instructions, or able to concentrate on playing games for the required time
* too weak vision to play games
* unable to use upper limbs to play
* simultaneously receiving some other treatment that differs from usual treatment