2021-05-17 08:43:13
Exergaming (a portmanteau of “exercise” and “gaming”) is defined as a digital game that requires body movement and physical activity to play, ranging from light to moderate intensity. There has been increased research on its therapeutic and cardiovascular effects. This study was conducted in Japan where the lifetime prevalence of low back pain is 83%. The study consisted of 40 patients, ranging from age 27-82, experiencing nonspecific chronic low back pain. These participants were split into two groups: a Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure (RFA) exergame group and a control group. The RFA group continued to take prescribed medication and started intervention treatment with RFA exercise gaming for 40 minutes each day for eight weeks. The control group received no exergaming/exercise therapy and continued prescribed medication. The groups were interviewed every two weeks to monitor pain levels; if pain relief was not adequate, NSAIDS, tramadol and duloxetine were prescribed gradually. RFA exergaming was found to reduce low back pain and buttock pain and enhanced patients’ sense of control over their pain, but no improvement was seen in lower limb numbness, kinesiophobia or pain catastrophizing. Exergaming was concluded to be an effective treatment for chronic low back pain with the potential to develop further (1).
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(1) Sato, T., Shimizu, K., Shiko, Y., Kawasaki, Y., Orita, S., Inage, K., Shiga, Y., Suzuki, M., Sato, M., Enomoto, K., Takaoka, H., Mizuki, N., Kim, G., Hozumi, T., Tsuchiya, R., Otagiri, T., Mukaihata, T., Furuya, T., Maki, S., Nakamura, J., … Eguchi, Y. (2021). Effects of Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure Exergame on Pain and Psychological Factors in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain. Games for health journal, 10.1089/g4h.2020.0180. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1089/g4h.2020.0180