Motivating Older Adults Through Immersive Virtual Exercise
Author Information
Author(s): Burch Brittany, Resnick Barbara, Reyes Jimmy
Primary Institution: University of Maryland Baltimore
Hypothesis
Can immersive virtual exercise increase physical activity among low-income older adults?
Conclusion
The MOTIVE intervention significantly increased physical activity among low-income older adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants in the MOTIVE group attended an average of 15 out of 16 sessions.
- The MOTIVE participants significantly increased their physical activity according to the Yale Physical Activity Survey.
- The Cohen’s d value of .53 indicates a moderate effect favoring the MOTIVE intervention.
Takeaway
This study shows that using virtual reality can help older people exercise more, especially those who don't have a lot of money.
Methodology
Participants were randomized to either a virtual reality exercise group or a control group and attended sessions for 8 weeks.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and was limited to a specific urban area.
Participant Demographics
Older adults who are low-income and living in urban environments.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Confidence Interval
-31.3,-11.3
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website