Duan-Rung Chen

The United Nation report shows that the growth rate of population aged 60 or over is highest among all age groups. Due to lack of muscle strength, older adults tend to exercise less. This study aims to explore whether playing somatosensory games may improve the physical health, quality of life and social network of the elderly. 70 seniors (35 as experimental group, 35 as control) were recruited. The experimental group played Microsoft Xbox Kinect games twice per week in a local health center. After 6 months, the physical fitness (body composition analysis, muscular analysis, flexibility) and social network of experimental group members showed significant improvement. Also, SF8 health survey revealed that experimental group perceived quality of life enhancement bodily pain. Paired t-test and trend analysis were conducted. We used RE-AIM model to evaluate the intervention program and made suggestions for future replication. In response to the phase-out of Kinect, we expand to serious game concept and discuss potential business model patterns for scale-up.

Key words: somatosensory game, serious game, health of the elderly