
As reported at SXSW, using virtual reality to recall memories and names, and places it might not reverse demential or Alzheimer's but it can slow the progression.
'We're moving to the era of prescription digital medicines'
'We're moving to the era of prescription digital medicines'
The researchers found that physical exertion levels were higher in traditional aerobics classes. But the exergamers enjoyed themselves more, and described a sense of autonomy over their workouts afterward—and this sense of autonomy could mean the difference between skipping the gym and choosing to exercise every day.
“VR-based training now has a really solid base of scientific testing. This testing tells us that being in VR creates a better brain-to-muscle (neuromuscular) link, which can help for not only a more effective workout but also helps a member become more bodily aware (which can help increase performance in other exercises),”
Background: Conventional face-to-face in-hospital mobility program (MP) is challenging for COVID-19 patients because of its associated risk of infection to hospital staff, staffing shortages as well as indirect risk of exposure to other hospitalized patients. Exergames are digital or web-based games that use body movement to promote physical activity and generally involve strength, balance, and flexibility exercises. The tele-exergame MP, developed by the team, uses a remotely supervised and game-based approach, which helps to increase patient motivation and engagement in a cognitively demanding exercise program.Objectives: To demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the Tele-Exergame mobility program in COVID-19 or PUI (persons under investigation), during hospitalization and examine post-hospitalization outcomes.
Aim 1: To examine feasibility of Tele-exergame. The investigators will evaluate feasibility by documenting missing exercise sessions, exercise dropout, and acceptability questionnaire.Aim 2: To examine proof of concept effectiveness to reduce deconditioning. The investigators will assess deconditioning (using wearables) and patient reported mental health assessed at baseline at discharge.Aim 3: Examine proof of concept effectiveness to accelerate recovery post hospital discharge.Approximately 4 weeks after discharge, patients will be contacted by telemedicine or telephone and requested to self-report on the Veterans mental health and the Veterans mobility.METHODS:COVID-19 patients or PUI (persons under investigation) admitted to the MEDVAMC (n=60), with an anticipated length of stay of at least 3 days will be recruited. Participants will be randomized (n=1:1) to either intervention (IG) or control (CG) groups. Both groups will receive standard of care. IG will additionally receive Tele-Exergame MP therapy. Tele-Exergame sessions will range from 3-10 minutes based on patient ability and completed twice daily. They will complete assessments at baseline and at one-month post-hospital discharge.SCIENTIFIC MERIT:The proposed contact-less mobility program could address the limitations of conventional in-hospital mobility program and advance the field of in-hospital exercise program.The investigators will use innovative wearables to exploring potential digital biomarkers of hospital-acquired illness including cognitive-frailty. illness.This study will advance the field of remote patient monitoringBENEFIT TO VETERANS:Its implementation not only for mobility program for hospitalized COVID-19 Veteran patients but also to deliver personalized exercise for non-COVID-19 Veteran patients with limited mobility including in bedbound and hospitalized Veteran patients Mobilizing hospitalized Veteran patients could mitigate hospital acquired complications like deconditioning, VTE and nosocomial infections and accelerate recovery post hospitalization
Research Design: Prospective randomized