THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT MODALITIES ON THE DESIGN OF PROMPTS IN A LOWER LIMB EXERGAME FOR COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

Cognitively impaired older adults(CIOAs) have high risk of falling. Although exergames can reduce the risk factors of falling, it is challenging to implement as CIOAs require active support from therapists. This research aimed to enable CIOAs to play the exergame independently by translating the support from therapists into prompts within the exergame. The design guidelines for prompts were synthesised from the literature based on errorless learning and modality principle and refined iteratively with CIOAs, cognitively normal older adults(CNOAs) and therapists. An exergame with different modality of prompts was developed and evaluated with feasibility study and randomised controlled trial(RCT). The RCT showed that prompts were crucial for CIOAs in learning exergame without support from therapist. Single modality audio prompts lead a higher level of understanding of the exergame and more accurate movements. By applying the design guidelines for prompts, fall prevention training can be done via exergames without increasing therapists' workload.