Comparing Exergaming and Usual Care Physical Therapy in Nursing Home Residents

Physical Function in Older Adults: Exergaming vs. Usual Care in Physical Therapy - A Randomized Controlled Trial

The objective of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of exergaming and usual care physical therapy on physical function in older adults residing in nursing homes.

This trial seeks to answer the following key questions:

• Does physical function differ between interventions after treatment?
• How do these interventions impact enjoyment of therapy?
• Are there differences in adherence or perceived exertion between the interventions?

A single-blind, randomized controlled trial will be conducted to compare exergaming and usual care interventions. Participants will be recruited from nursing homes in the province of Toledo, and the study will follow the CONSORT guidelines for clinical, crossover, and parallel trials.

Two experimental groups will be tested, with interventions performed three days per week for six weeks, each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. The exergaming group will play seven video games from the Party Fowl app, while the usual care group will continue their standard exercise routine.

Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks), and at a 3-month follow-up to evaluate the middle-term effects of both interventions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• subjects over 60 years of age
• score equal to or greater than 20 on the Mini Mental cognitive test
• Subjects that present the ability to stand without the use of technical aids or with the technical assistance of a device used for walking.

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe visual impairment
• medical contraindication for physical activity
• pathology or problem that could prevent the test from being carried out.