Physical Exercise Guided by Active Video Games for Optimizing Clinical and Psychosocial Outcomes in Older Adults With Knee and/or Hip Osteoarthritis Under a Community-based Rehabilitation Model.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is highly prevalent, and its incidence increases with aging populations. OA is characterized by articular cartilage degeneration, stiffness, inflammation, and musculoskeletal pain. In addition, the associated deterioration of health-related quality of life may influence therapeutic adherence and progression to future joint replacement. It appears that symptoms rather than structural impairment determine the risk of falling in older people with OA, so pain, loss of strength, and postural balance are underlying mechanisms for both falls and the clinical picture of OA itself. Moreover, the psychosocial sequelae are often underestimated because OA and pain are usually considered benign and unavoidable consequences of aging.

Physical exercise in people with knee and hip OA improves clinical aspects and psychosocial aspects such as self-efficacy, social function, and reduction of depression and isolation, among others. Adherence to exercise is fundamental and is closely related to user satisfaction. There are several barriers to physical exercise by older adults, such as lack of social support, transportation problems, and prioritization of basic needs; however, a determining factor is lack of motivation. In this regard, a study indicates that in Latin America, lack of motivation is among the main reasons for abandoning physical exercise.

The technological development of the last decades has allowed the incorporation of virtual reality into the healthcare field, favoring user motivation. Virtual reality is an experience based on the interactive digital simulation of environments and objects. These systems are categorized as non-immersive, semi-immersive, and immersive. Non-immersive systems use monitors or television screens, semi-immersive systems use panoramic screens to enhance the immersive experience, and immersive systems use head-mounted displays or multi-projected environments that generate a strong sense of immersion. It has been posited that the cost and expertise required to operate immersive systems may hinder their widespread use in clinical settings. In addition, the immersive sensation could produce symptoms such as visual fatigue and dizziness (cybersickness). On the other hand, non-immersive systems using commercially available home consoles are now considered an attractive and more accessible alternative to more sophisticated immersive systems.

Unlike traditional video games that use a standard command or joystick, active video games (AVGs) (also called exergames) use motion monitoring systems such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, haptic technology, and video capture. AVGs have been defined as a "combination of video game technologies and exercise routines to motivate physical activity among individuals or groups," recognizing that exercise in older people requires a greater understanding of the complexity of interaction with computer systems.

Conventional physical rehabilitation (CPR) consists of traditional physical exercises that improve functional capacity. Over the past few years, it has been suggested that incorporating AVGs into CPR can optimize clinical and psychosocial outcomes in the elderly. AVGs have been reported to promote improvements in functional mobility, coordination, muscle strength, and cognitive function in older people. In addition, AVGs improve walking ability and postural balance, as well as social well-being (perception of loneliness, social connectedness, and positive attitudes). However, this research has focused on healthy elderly and patients with neurocognitive pathologies. On the other hand, little information is available on older people with musculoskeletal conditions such as OA. In this regard, a systematic review conducted in patients with knee and/or hip OA indicates that the evidence is insufficient and inconclusive regarding the effectiveness of AVGs. Moreover, one study concludes that AVGs are a feasible and acceptable intervention for patients with knee OA. Interestingly, both studies raise the benefits and potential of AVGs in this population, urging further clinical trials.