Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41450856›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in sports and active living2025

Healthy community-living older adults' experiences with using a specially adapted virtual reality exercise game to promote physical activity-a pilot study.

Bård Bogen, Martin Moum Hellevik, Gro Gujord Tangen, Lars Peder Bovim, Nina Øye, Kristin Taraldsen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in sports and active living, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Bård BogenDepartment of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Martin Moum HellevikStiftelsen CatoSenteret, Son, Norway.
Gro Gujord TangenThe Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway.
Lars Peder BovimSimArena, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway.
Nina ØyeStiftelsen CatoSenteret, Son, Norway.
Kristin TaraldsenDepartment of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), Oslo, Norway.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR) that has been developed the recent years, are now increasingly accessible and offers new opportunities for VR environments combined with games that may enhance physical activity. However, these games may require adaptation and further customization for use among older users. In this pilot study, we investigate the experiences of older adults using a head-mounted VR exercise game that was developed in close collaboration with end users. Methods: We included ten community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older who undertook six VR exercise sessions across a two-week period, each session lasting 15 min. Descriptive information included age, gender, mobility (Timed Up and Go test, TUG), and gait speed (10 m walk test), and daily steps from ankle-worn accelerometers. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim and analyzed by use of reflexive thematic analysis. Results: We included four men and six women, age range from 66 to 77 years, with an average gait speed of 1.4 m/sec and an average TUG-time of 7.6 s. Their average activity levels were close to 4200 steps per day. After the trial period, participants' experiences were that VR is a new and exciting development. They found VR to be more of a game than exercise, and they suggested integrating more challenging activities, physical movement and social engagement to enhance the exercise part of the game. They did not feel that the game facilitated any more physical activity in their daily lives. Discussion/conclusion: VR is a promising tool that older adults in this trial enjoyed, but the game was not physically demanding enough for the participants. Future adaptations should include more challenges. Game development should focus on tasks that keep players interested and engaged over longer times, without jeopardizing safety.

Indexed as

exercisegameolder adultsqualitativevirtual reality

Identifiers

PMID41450856
PMCPMC12730165

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.