An Interactive Physical-Cognitive Game-Based Training System Using Kinect for Older Adults: Development and Usability Study

Teerawat Kamnardsiri; Kochaphan Phirom; Sirinun Boripuntakul; Somporn Sungkarat

doi:10.2196/27848

An Interactive Physical-Cognitive Game-Based Training System Using Kinect for Older Adults: Development and Usability Study

JMIR Serious Games. 2021 Oct 27;9(4):e27848. doi: 10.2196/27848.

Authors

Teerawat Kamnardsiri^#^{1

2}, Kochaphan Phirom³, Sirinun Boripuntakul^#³, Somporn Sungkarat^#³

Affiliations

¹ Research Group of Modern Management and Information Technology, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
² Department of Digital Game, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
³ Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 34704953
PMCID: PMC8581754
DOI: 10.2196/27848

Abstract

Background: Declines in physical and cognitive functions are recognized as important risk factors for falls in older adults. Promising evidence suggests that interactive game-based systems that allow simultaneous physical and cognitive exercise are a potential approach to enhance exercise adherence and reduce fall risk in older adults. However, a limited number of studies have reported the development of a combined physical-cognitive game-based training system for fall risk reduction in older adults.

Objective: The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate the usability of an interactive physical-cognitive game-based training system (game-based exercise) for older adults.

Methods: In the development phase (Part I), a game-based exercise prototype was created by integrating knowledge and a literature review as well as brainstorming with experts on effective fall prevention exercise for older adults. The output was a game-based exercise prototype that covers crucial physical and cognitive components related to falls. In the usability testing (Part II), 5 games (ie, Fruits Hunter, Where Am I?, Whack a Mole, Sky Falls, and Crossing Poison River) with three difficulty levels (ie, beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels) were tested in 5 older adults (mean age 70.40 years, SD 5.41 years). After completing the games, participants rated their enjoyment level while engaging with the games using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) and commented on the games. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the participants' characteristics and PACES scores.

Results: The results showed that the average PACES score was 123 out of 126 points overall and between 6.66 and 7.00 for each item, indicating a high level of enjoyment. Positive feedback, such as praise for the well-designed interactions and user-friendly interfaces, was also provided.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that it is promising to implement an interactive, physical-cognitive game-based exercise in older adults. The effectiveness of a game-based exercise program for fall risk reduction has yet to be determined.

Keywords: Kinect sensors; PACES; digital game; exergaming; falls; game-based exercise; interactive game-based training; older adults; physical-cognitive training; user-centered design.

©Teerawat Kamnardsiri, Kochaphan Phirom, Sirinun Boripuntakul, Somporn Sungkarat. Originally published in JMIR Serious Games (https://games.jmir.org), 27.10.2021.