A novel virtual reality blowgun game for rehabilitation of older adults: A preliminary case series.

Patients: Three residents of a long-term care home volunteered to participate in a rehabilitation program involving a virtual reality blowgun game. The participants played the game 5 days a week as a new exercise routine. After 4 weeks of intervention, tongue pressure and forced expiratory volume in 1 s improved in all participants. In addition, the jaw-opening force and forced expiratory volume in 6 s improved in two participants. All three participants rated the virtual reality blowgun game as more enjoyable than their regular rehabilitation programs.

Discussion: Previous studies have shown that gamification can be useful in dysphagia rehabilitation. However, there are no previous reports describing the use of virtual reality in rehabilitation programs aimed at improving swallowing and respiratory functions in older adults while investigating participant motivation. The outcomes of the cases described herein suggest that such programs can be as effective as conventional expiratory training. Furthermore, gamification can enhance enjoyment, even in exercises designed to improve physical function.

Conclusions: These cases indicate that the virtual reality blowgun game may effectively improve swallowing and respiratory functions in older adults while being enjoyable.