Face Validity and Content Validity of a Game for Distal Radius Fracture Rehabilitation

Background  Patients recovering from a variety of wrist injuries are frequently advised to exercise to regain lost wrist and hand function. Treatment regimens to regain motion in the wrist are highly variable, and adherence to exercise protocols is known to be low. A serious game ReValidate! incorporating standardized exercise regimens was developed to motivate patients. In this study, the game is evaluated regarding its face validity and content validity. Methods  In this cross-sectional study, a mixed group of "users" ( n  = 53) including patients currently recovering from wrist injury, and a mixed group of "experts" ( n  = 46) including professionals advising patients on therapy regimen after wrist injury played at least one complete level of the serious game. Players evaluated the game by means of a structured questionnaire regarding its content, clinical applicability, and user experience. Questions were answered on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Results  All groups valued the game as being able to support wrist rehabilitation and being of use to patients recovering from a distal radius fracture (users: median 4, P25-P75 3-4 vs. experts: median 4, P25-P75 3.50-5; p  = not significant). The types of exercises performed during the game were considered to be both realistic and complete compared with regular physiotherapy exercises (users: median 4, P25-P75 3-4 vs. experts: median 4, P25-P75 3-5, p  = not significant). Conclusions  The ReValidate! serious game can be regarded as a valid tool for patients to regain their wrist function after injury. Level of evidence  This is a Level II study.