At-home exercise gaming to improve balance and mobility
Who it’s for: Survivors of stroke
What it involves: Test a new method
Location: In-person NSW
Summary
Researchers from Neuroscience Research Australia are studying whether playing home-based exercise games for four months can improve balance and mobility after stroke. ‘Exergames’ involve playing arcade-style games by stepping on a mat. They are also testing whether this exercise program can improve cognition, improve quality of life and reduce fear of falling.
Eligibility
- Adults aged 18 years or older
- Experienced stroke at least 6 months ago
- Are now experiencing balance or mobility impairment
- Are able to walk 20 metres without aid.
Activity
Participation will last about four months. It includes assessments undertaken at NeuRA, Randwick NSW, and an exercise program which is completed at home. Participation involves:
- An online questionnaire (about 30 minutes to complete) before the first assessment.
- Two physical assessments undertaken at NeuRA, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031 - one at the start of the program (approximately 2 hours) and one at the end (approximately 1 hour).
- Physical activity tracking – wearing a watch for 7 days and completing brief weekly online fall surveys.
- Home visits – one or two short home visits (less than one hour each) from the research team to help set up the equipment (home-based SmartStep training system).
- After the first assessment, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:
- If you're in the exercise group, you'll be asked to do home-based training, aiming for 120 minutes of exercise each week during the four months.
- If you are in the control group, you’ll be asked to go about your daily life ‘as normal’ and you will be offered the exercise gaming training at the end of the four-month period.
Documents
Participant information sheet [DOCX 367 KB]
Contact
Ms Kulvara Lapanan, PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Research Australia
Phone: (02) 9399 1067
Email: smartstepstroke@neura.edu.au