JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Sedentary behaviour is prevalent among patients with cardiovascular disease, particularly heart failure (HF), leading to adverse health outcomes. While regular physical activity is beneficial, many patients face barriers to engaging in sufficient exercise. Exergaming seems a promising intervention to decrease sedentary time, but to implement this in clinical practice in the future we need to understand the expectations of Health Care Professionals (HCPs) regarding this technology

Objective:

To explore the expectations of HCPs regarding the possibility to use mobile exergaming in reducing sedentary time in patients with HF.

Methods:

A qualitative research design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 17 HCPs from two hospitals in Spain. The interviews focused on the potential benefits and challenges of exergaming and its integration into clinical practice.

Results:

Three key themes emerged from the thematic analysis of interview data: Motivation through exergaming: HCPs expect that exergaming can motivate patients to engage in regular physical activity by making it more enjoyable and providing features like reminders and progress tracking. Adding but not replacing: Exergaming is viewed as an adjunct to traditional physical activity advice or cardiac rehabilitation, not a standalone solution. Need for personalized exergaming approach: Concerns were raised about technological barriers for older adults, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches and patient familiarization with exergame technology.

Conclusions:

Exergaming is expected to be a motivational tool for increasing physical activity among patients with HF by HCP. However, only to complement existing interventions. Addressing technological challenges through personalized approaches may enhance its adoption and effectiveness.