Overview

This study aims to examine the effects of an augmented reality location-based game intervention on behavioral and psychological factors related to physical activity among middle-aged and older adults. The study adopts a quasi-experimental design, targeting community-dwelling individuals aged 40-59 or 60 and above, who engage in sedentary work patterns exceeding 6 hours daily. Recruitment is scheduled to commence in February 2025 at the Xinyi Health Service Center in Taipei City. Participants will be assigned to either the experimental group or the control group based on enrollment timing. A minimum of 41 participants will be recruited, divided into two experimental groups and two control groups. The experimental group will participate in an augmented reality location-based game featuring different step count goals every two weeks, daily step count reporting, and goal achievement encouragement. The control group will maintain their usual routines without any intervention. The intervention will last for 8 weeks. Research instruments will include a basic demographic questionnaire, the short-form Taiwan Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, the Exercise Motivation and Barriers Scale, blood pressure measurements, and the Quality of Life Scale.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Meet one of the following conditions: middle-aged to senior citizens aged 40 to 59 years old or senior citizens aged 60 years old or older who work more than 6 hours a day in a sedentary lifestyle
2. Able to walk independently without the use of aids.
3. Have a smart phone with an application (Pikmin Bloom) that can be installed and can access the Internet and GPS.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who have been diagnosed by a doctor as suffering from dementia, mental illness or major diseases.
2. Those who are unable to do intense exercise as mentioned in the medical advice.
3. Those who cannot go out for long time, such as family caregivers.
4. Those who have regular exercise habits: average daily steps over 5,000 steps or 30 minutes of leisure-type physical activity more than 3 times a week.
5. Those who will not use the AR adaptive game (Pikmin Bloom) at the end of the 2-day test period.