Older adults' needs and requirements for a comprehensive exergame-based telerehabilitation system: A focus group study

Telerehabilitation in older adults using information and communication technologies (ICTs) provides therapy, which is potentially equally effective as traditional rehabilitation, yet more accessible. This study aimed to analyze the needs and requirements of older adults (OA) and healthcare-professio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in public health 2023-01, Vol.10, p.1076149-1076149
Main Authors: Seinsche, Julia, de Bruin, Eling D, Carpinella, Ilaria, Ferrarin, Maurizio, Moza, Sotiria, Rizzo, Francesco, Salatino, Claudia, Giannouli, Eleftheria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Communication
exergame
Exergaming
Focus Groups
Humans
information and communication technologies
Medicin och hälsovetenskap
Motivation
motor-cognitive training
older adult
Public Health
qualitative research
telerehabilitation
Telerehabilitation - methods
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Summary:Telerehabilitation in older adults using information and communication technologies (ICTs) provides therapy, which is potentially equally effective as traditional rehabilitation, yet more accessible. This study aimed to analyze the needs and requirements of older adults (OA) and healthcare-professionals (HP) toward ICTs and telerehabilitation in general as well as toward a specific novel exergame-based telerehabilitation system (COCARE system, Dividat). The COCARE telerehabilitation system enables individual training based on exergames, as well as an assessment system and a digital centralized case management. Six focus groups with in total 34 participants were conducted. A mixed-methods approach was used comprising questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Both OA and HP would engage to an exergame-based telerehabilitation program. Major motivating factors are the relevance of such a training for health and the entertainment component of exergames. Main requirements are simplification of the system, variety, a personalized training, a constantly available contact person, and comprehensive instructions for use. Besides, HP praised the system's motivational effect, but remained concerned about risk of falls and social isolation. ICTs for telerehabilitation are accepted by OA and HP but should be adapted hardware- and software-wise to address OA' age-stemming vulnerabilities (e.g., risk of falls) and low ICT literacy.
ISSN:2296-2565
2296-2565
DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1076149