Board game for the upper limbs rehabilitation in institutionalised elderly from Portugal: a quasi-experimental pilot study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Using games as a rehabilitation strategy has significantly impacted cognitive variables in the elderly; however, its impact on physical indicators is not consensual. OBJECTIVE: To measure the effect of a training program with a board game on upper limb coordination and handgrip strength of institutionalized elderly. The elderly’s perception of playing a board game as a rehabilitation strategy was also characterised. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A longitudinal quasi-experimental study was carried out, including 10 institutionalized elderly people without significant changes in cognition (6CIT 0-7) and upper limb mobility. This group was initially evaluated (T0) for handgrip strength (HGS) and coordination of the upper limbs (EUROFIT test battery), repeating the assessment after 2 weeks of conventional therapies (T1), and also again 2 weeks after attending conventional therapies plus an additional 2 hours of a board game program (T2). The perception of the elderly about their experience with the game was also collected. The evolution between T0-T1 and T1-T2 was compared using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Only between T1 and T2 were significant changes in EUROFIT (p=0.005) and HGS for both members (p=0.005; p= 0.007). A greater relevance of game-based program for teamwork, stimulating reasoning, and agility of the upper limbs was perceived. CONCLUSION: The board game is a potential tool to complement conventional therapy, and the experience is well perceived by the elderly participants (ClinicalTrials.gov IDIPL10062019).