JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Group-based recreational activities including physical activity and artmaking can help older adults preserve or even improve key functional outcomes essential to successful aging, while simultaneously fostering social support. Community-university partnerships can promote successful aging by facilitating the design and implementation of evidence-based, relevant, and impactful programs that better meet the needs of older adults in our community.

Objective:

To leverage a community-integrated approach to develop and test the impacts of a recreation-based exergaming and artmaking program on cognitive and physical outcomes in older adults.

Methods:

Working with the Buffalo-Niagara YMCA, we developed the “Movers and Makers Club”; a group-based recreation program to improve cognitive and physical function in aging. We recruited adults, 65 years or older, to participate in weekly group-based SMARTfit exergaming and artmaking during the 12-week program. The program was divided into two phases. During the Design Phase, we sought direct feedback from older adults in the community regarding the appeal and usability of proposed exergaming activities and art projects for our program. In the Impact Phase, we administered a one-group, 12-week pilot to test the effects of group-based SMARTfit exergaming and visual artmaking on performance on the Trail-Making Test (TMT) and Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (SCWT). In addition, key functional assessments administered included a Four-Stage Balance Test (FSBT), 30-Second Sit to Stand Test (30SST), and a Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Key participant-reported outcomes were also collected on the appeal, enjoyability and usability of program activities.

Results:

In all, 17 older adults (X̄= 73.80 (SD = 4.10) years) enrolled in the program between two YMCA branches: one representing the City of Buffalo and one, a local suburb. Upon ending, all 17 participants completed at least nine out of 12 sessions. Participants reported high ratings of enjoyment and satisfaction with their experience. They also reported their comfort level while exercising, maintaining their balance, and walking improved. Participants also recounted their comfort level with doing art and their interest in trying new artistic pursuits increased. In addition, performance on the TMT and SCWT improved from baseline to endpoint (p < .001). We also observed improvements in one-leg balance, 30SST performance, and 6MWT distance (p < .001).

Conclusions:

We have shown that a group-based recreation program, delivering SMARTfit exergaming and guided artmaking to older adults, can help improve cognitive and physical functional outcomes important to successful aging. In addition, our approach of seeking direct feedback from older adult community members, in developing the program, produced a highly enjoyable and appealing experience that was age- and ability-appropriate. Our future programs will integrate formal assessments of key psychosocial factors that may influence both the implementation and functional outcomes of the “Movers and Makers” curriculum.