EFFECT OF KINECT TAI CHI ON OVERALL HEALTH OF DEMENTIA CLIENTS: A FEASIBILITY AND USABILITY STUDY

Abstract

The prevalence of dementia is increasing worldwide. Dementia clients experience an increased risk for depression and physical inactivity. Tai Chi can enhance the physical and mental health of healthy older adults, including persons with dementia. However, programs tailored for dementia clients are scarce and barriers, such as transportation and accessibility, further limit participation in Tai Chi. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the usability of a home Kinect-based Tai Chi system (K-TaiChi), and to determine its effect on perceived physical and mental health of dementia clients in preparation for a large-scale study. Using a serious-games methodology, K-TaiChi was developed to guide dementia clients through postures and movements, recognize features of their movement, and provide visual feedback and rewards when movements are performed well. Ten community dwelling individuals with mild to moderate dementia used K-TaiChi in their homes three times per week, for six weeks. Focus groups with dementia clients and their caregivers were conducted to evaluate our system’s feasibility and usability. The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia was administered pre and post intervention to evaluate its effectiveness on mental health. The majority of participants successfully used K-TaiChi. Results revealed improvements in depression and physical activity levels of those that completed all 18 sessions. Because of its user-friendliness and its effects on activity levels, depression, and perceived health, K-TaiChi holds promise for community-residing mild to moderate persons with dementia who are unable to participate in traditional Tai Chi programs.