Feasibility of a Tele-game-based Exercise (Tele-exergame) Program to Prevent Deconditioning in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Conventional in-hospital mobility programs are challenging to deliver to hospitalized infected patients (e.g., COVID-19) due to infection risk to staff, staffing shortages, and potential exposure of other patients. This study evaluates a tele-exergame mobility program, a self-administered, game-based exercise intervention guided by foot-worn sensors and step-by-step interactive guidance on a tablet. The platform promotes strength, balance, and flexibility while enhancing patient motivation and engagement through cognitively demanding gamified tasks, with remote supervision and no to minimum direct physical contact.