Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty
Published on: October 6, 2016
Feasibility of home-based, low-intensity exergame on cognitive function of older adults with mild cognitive
Sirintip Kumfu1, Teerawat Kamnardsiri2, Sirinun Boripuntakul1,3
1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Background:
Combined physical-cognitive training has shown beneficial effects on cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, most interventions employ moderate-to-high intensity, which may limit accessibility for individuals with health concerns. Whether low-intensity exercise provides similar cognitive benefits remains inconclusive. Delivering such training through home-based exergame may improve adherence. This study evaluated the feasibility of a home-based, low-intensity exergame for older adults with MCI.
Methods:
Older adults with MCI completed 50-min exergaming sessions, triweekly, for 4 weeks. Feasibility outcomes, including recruitment, adherence, adverse events, enjoyment, and cognitive and physical performance, were evaluated at baseline and post-intervention. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), 10-word recall test, digit span, and verbal fluency tests. Physical performance was assessed with the four-square step and five-times sit-to-stand tests.
Results:
Fifteen older adults with MCI (mean age 66.07 ± 4.36 years; 75% recruitment rate) participated. The average adherence rate was 93.33% (11.2 sessions), with no adverse events or attrition reported. Enjoyment significantly increased from week 1 to week 4 (p = 0.001). Significant cognitive improvements were demonstrated for the 10-word immediate and delayed recall (p = 0.03, p = 0.002), MoCA total scores (p = 0.002), and MoCA sub-domains: executive function (p = 0.007), language (p = 0.034), and delayed recall (p = 0.001). No significant changes were observed in physical performance.
Conclusion:
Home-based, low-intensity exergaming is a safe, feasible, and enjoyable approach for older adults with MCI. Preliminary findings suggest potential cognitive benefits of low-intensity exergaming in improving cognitive function, which warrant confirmation in a large-scale, rigorous randomized controlled trial.
