Gaming linked to gains in older care residents with sarcopenia
Sarcopenia, a condition involving muscle loss and weakness, affected 41.7% of the gaming group versus 94.4% receiving routine care after 12 weeks, down from 100% in both.
Our read
Interventions- Studied:
- Non-randomized trial in 72 institutionalized older adults with sarcopenia, 12 weeks (Registered NCT07909564)
- What changed:
- Sarcopenia affected 41.7% of gaming residents versus 94.4% receiving routine care after 12 weeks
- The catch:
- Differences between facilities or their residents could have contributed to the gains
- In the record:
- The 90th paper on exergaming with results in people; 156 on record in all.
Editor of record: Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
Seventy-two adults aged 65 or older with sarcopenia and adequate cognitive capacity participated in a nonrandomized, quasi-experimental study at six long-term care facilities in Taiwan. The researchers matched facilities in pairs. Three facilities offered 36 residents Nintendo Switch Ring Fit Adventure sessions lasting 50 minutes, three times weekly for 12 weeks. The other three facilities provided routine care to 36 residents.
Grip strength rose 26.9% in the gaming group versus a 7.4% decline with routine care. Muscle mass index also increased in the gaming group but declined in the comparison group. Depression decreased by 44% versus a 31% increase, anxiety decreased by 14% versus a 15% increase, and loneliness decreased by 9% versus a 6% increase. Adherence reached 94.4%, and researchers reported no adverse events.
Why it matters
For sarcopenia care in later life, the authors suggest exercise gaming may offer a way to address interconnected physical, psychological and social needs.
Caveats
Facilities were not randomly assigned, so differences between facilities or their residents could have contributed to the results. Participants all had sarcopenia and adequate cognitive capacity; the findings may not apply to other care residents.
The paper
China Medical University; Taipei Medical University
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jun 29, 2026
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