PURPOSE: To evaluate the adherence and effectiveness of a home-based exergame program for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHOD: Patients with IPF were randomly assigned to a relatively unsupervised Wii Fit exergame intervention group or Wii video game control group (with no active whole-body movement involved). Participants in both groups were instructed to play their respective games 30 min/d, 3 d/wk for 12 wk. In addition, they were asked to perform their usual exercise/physical activities. Outcome measures were 6-min walk distance (6MWD), exercise-related dyspnea, and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). RESULTS: The 20 participants differed significantly between intervention and control groups in baseline characteristics (forced vital capacity 2.0 +/- 0.5 versus 3.1 +/- 0.7 L; forced expiratory volume in 1 sec 1.7 +/- 0.4 versus 2.5 +/- 0.6 L, respectively). Participant adherence rate to the exergame program was very low (20%). There was no significant improvement in the outcome measures in either group. In fact, both the intervention and control groups had a deterioration in 6MWD (-22 +/- 56 m versus -60 +/- 111 m), respectively and SGRQ scores (3 +/- 9 versus 1 +/- 11), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The home-based exergame intervention for patients with IPF did not show improvement in functional performance, dyspnea, or health-related quality of life at the completion of the 12-wk program in our 2 heterogeneous groups. In addition to the low adherence rate, insufficient frequencies and durations of exergaming may contribute to the lack of improvement. A lack of effectiveness of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation using exergaming for patients with IPF appears consistent with prior observational studies that used more traditional modes of home-based exercise.
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