The Feasibility of an Exergaming Program in Underserved Older African Americans

The study tested the feasibility and efficacy of an exergaming program in underserved older African American communities. The study is a single-group with pre- and posttest design. Twelve female participants (M age = 64.17 ± 6.74 years) completed an exergaming program once or twice a week for 24 ses...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Western journal of nursing research 2018-06, Vol.40 (6), p.815-833
Main Authors: Chao, Ying-Yu, Musanti, Rita, Zha, Peijia, Katigbak, Carina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
African Americans
African Americans - psychology
Coaching
Community health workers
Community Health Workers - psychology
Efficacy
Exercise
Feasibility
Feasibility Studies
Female
Flexibility
Health Behavior - physiology
Health care access
Health promotion
Health status
Humans
Independent Living
Intervention
Lower limbs
Middle Aged
Motivation
Nursing
Older people
Program Evaluation - methods
Quality of Life
Self Report
Underserved populations
Vulnerable Populations
Well being
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Summary:The study tested the feasibility and efficacy of an exergaming program in underserved older African American communities. The study is a single-group with pre- and posttest design. Twelve female participants (M age = 64.17 ± 6.74 years) completed an exergaming program once or twice a week for 24 sessions over 14 weeks. Community health workers implemented the program through coaching and supporting mechanisms to motivate participants to exercise. A mixed-methods analysis was used to assess the intervention. After the program, participants showed significant improvements in lower body flexibility (p = .012), and physical health–related quality of life (p = .005). Four themes were identified related to the self-reported benefits of the exergaming program: (a) improving health, (b) feeling enjoyment, (c) getting connected, and (d) knowing you. The exergaming program provides an easy-to-implement and potentially effective intervention that can be used in community-directed centers to improve health and well-being in the underserved population.
ISSN:0193-9459
1552-8456
DOI:10.1177/0193945916687529