JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Videoconference combines the convenience of home physical exercise (PE) with group interaction and supervision of exercise in the community and could be useful for facilitating PE practice among older adults

Objective:

This scoping review aims to access evidence on the usability of videoconferencing technologies as a medium for PE interventions delivered synchronously to healthy older adults.

Methods:

Electronic searches on databases (Pubmed/Ovid Medline, Science Direct, Scopus, CINHAL) until December 2023 for identifying articles on measures of usability (i.e.: effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction of technology).

Results:

Thirteen studies out of 1846 unique records were included. Retrieved results showed that videoconferencing strategies can be used to deliver synchronous exercise interventions. However, their effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction are variable depending on the technological medium used. Despite widespread use among older individuals, few studies evaluate usability, highlighting a gap in evaluation methods for PE remote intervention.

Conclusions:

The review suggests that while older adults can use technology to deliver synchronous interventions, further research with standardized tools is crucial to ensure their active engagement in physical exercise. Evaluating the usability of the technologies used for these programs can help tailor them to the needs and characteristics of older adults. Our findings also underscore the importance of continuing research to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of videoconferencing technologies within the context of exercise interventions. Ongoing research is essential to guide the development of customized solutions and optimize the efficacy of interventions for this population.