The Experience of and Needs for Exergames in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Qualitative Interview Study

As a novel intervention method that combines exercise and games, exergames have demonstrated a positive impact on enhancing the cognitive and physical functions of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, there remains a dearth of knowledge and evidence regarding the experiences and needs of the older adult population in China with MCI about exergames.

This qualitative study aimed to investigate the experience of and needs for exergames among older adults with MCI.

We adopted a phenomenological methodology for this study, and conducted it at a community and nursing home in Changsha, Hunan Province, from June to August 2023. We used the purpose sampling method to conduct semistructured interviews with 21 older people with MCI. Older people with MCI were allowed to experience exergames using our preselected exergame device, the Nintendo Switch, and they were interviewed to understand their experience and needs for exergames. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the data were uploaded to NVivo 12 software for encoding. The corresponding text was then reviewed for data analysis. Data analysis was guided by the methodology proposed by Giorgi and was carried out simultaneously with data collection. This study's trustworthiness was evaluated according to credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability criteria.

Overall, 21 participants (mean age 70.2, SD 7.6 y; n=17, 81% women; mean Montreal Cognitive Assessment score 18.8, SD 3.6) were interviewed. Moreover, 21 interviews were conducted. By the 18th interview, the data were saturated, and to make sure no new topics came up, we conducted 3 more interviews. The experience of older people with MCI with exergames includes five parts: their attitudes toward exergames vary, they are both entertaining and interesting, they promote physical activity and exercise, they pass the time and relieve loneliness, and their conditions of use are not restricted. The needs of older people with MCI for exergames include the desire to design older people-friendly exergames, ensure scientific validity and safety in the process of sports, provide a good gaming experience, exercise physical and cognitive function, and provide support and training.

This study provides an interpretative understanding of the experiences and needs associated with exergames in older people with MCI, which could inform exergame development appropriate for this population and guide the implementation of exergame interventions in this population. Most older people with MCI expressed a positive attitude toward exergames, but not all were interested in them. Older people with MCI viewed exergames as both entertaining and fun, promoting physical activity and exercise, passing the time, relieving loneliness, and the conditions of use were not restricted. Exergames for older people with MCI should be older people-friendly, scientific, safe, provide a good play experience, exercise physical and cognitive function, and provide training and support. In the future, exergames should be tailored to meet the unique needs of older people with MCI, which is critical to improving their well-being.