Utilization of Exergame Programs Among Elderly Residents in Rural Nursing Care Centers

"The training program for the intervention group utilized the Nintendo Switch game WarioWare: Move It,. Participants engaged with the game through Joy-Con controllers, completing rapid micro-games designed to meet specific movement-oriented objectives. Each game session lasted approximately five seconds, requiring participants to quickly adapt to various physical actions and postures, such as waving, jumping, swinging arms, rotating, and mimicking object movements. The game's dynamic structure provides an engaging experience that promotes physical coordination, reaction speed, upper and lower limb strength, and hand-eye coordination through diverse movement patterns. Switching between tasks compels players to adjust to varying motion demands swiftly, enhancing physical agility while strengthening attention-shifting and quick decision-making skills."

The standard care program for the control group is grounded in routine practices of long-term care facilities, aiming to sustain and enhance the physical and mental well-being of elderly residents through structured group activities. These activities encompass tailored fitness exercises, horticultural therapy, and sedentary group engagements for older adults. The fitness exercises are adapted to meet the varying physical conditions of participants, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment that promotes moderate physical activity. Horticultural therapy involves hands-on planting and tending to plants, stimulating the senses, and fostering emotional regulation, contributing to improved psychological health. Sedentary activities, such as tabletop games, emphasize social interaction and cognitive maintenance by promoting a relaxed social environment that helps participants remain cognitively engaged.