Effects of a Video Game-Based Intervention on the Attention and Functional Independence of Older Adults after Cerebrovascular Accident

Abstract

The population aging is increasing the number of chronical diseases that result in cognitive and motor limitations, how stroke. The objective of the research was to investigate the effects of Motion Rehab game in attention and independence in the elderly after stroke. It is a study of control intervention before and after, where population was 10 elderly people with average ages of 67,7 and 71 years old, with cerebrovascular damage caused by ischemic stroke, and users of the Physical rehabilitation center. The research sessions were realized individually, once a week frequency, with 15 minutes long, during 15 weeks. The research tools were, Mini Mental State Examination, Functional Independence Measure, Geriatric Depression Scale and Colorful Trails Test. The research sessions were realized individually, once a week frequency, with 15 minutes long, during 15 weeks. In the data analysis the Student t test for paired samples was applied. The results determine significant differences in the attention and independence after the interventions with the game. During the colorful trails tests´ the time reduced 330,5±140,8 second at the evaluation, from 259,4±112,5 second the reevaluation (p=0,039), for more, the psychologist professional interference needs decreases from 0,8±0,5 to 0,4±0,3 (p=0,036). The Functional Independence average obtained at first was a score of 102,3 ± 23,4 (modified dependence) and at the reevaluation a score of 107±18,6 (modified independence) (p=0,044). It was possible to conclude that the interventions brought benefits to the elderly people, turning in an alternative to the physics and cognitive rehabilitations to that population.