Gaming your way to recovery: can a sensor-guided tablet exercise prevent hospital deconditioning?
NCT ID NCT04743401
First seen Aug 05, 2026 · Last updated Aug 06, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a self-administered, tablet-based exercise game, guided by foot-worn sensors, can help hospitalized COVID-19 patients maintain strength and mobility without in-person contact. The program aims to prevent physical decline (deconditioning) during hospital stays, while reducing infection risk to staff. The study includes Veterans and other hospitalized patients expected to stay at least three days, and measures how feasible and acceptable the program is, along with its effects on daily living activities.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Tele-exergaming tablet program
- What this could lead to
- If this approach proves feasible, it could offer a safe, remote way to keep hospitalized patients mobile without exposing staff to infection, potentially reducing hospital-related physical decline.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small feasibility study, not a test of effectiveness. The game may be hard for some patients to use, and results may not apply beyond this specific group.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
54 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jul 2021
- Finished
-
Dec 2023
- Lead sponsor
-
A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants: Men or women Veterans with COVID-19 or PUI or hospitalized patients with duration of admission anticipated to be greater than 72 hours admitted to MEDVAMC. * Length of stay: Anticipated length of stay at least 3 days. * Ambulatory. Self-report of being ambulatory with or without an assistive device in the 2 weeks before admission. Exclusion Criteria: * ICU admission: The investigators will exclude those admitted to ICU at any point in their hospital stay. * Admission of observation only: These patients will be excluded as length of stay is usually anticipated to be less than 3 days * Median life expectancy: Those with imminently terminal (death expected in the next 30 days) will be excluded. * Cognitive impairment: The investigators will exclude those with delirium, dementia, or severe cognitive impairment * Medical condition: The investigators will exclude those who have any medical diagnosis deemed by the primary physician to be a contraindication to ambulation (i.e.: unstable from pulmonary embolus, unstable angina, severe hemodynamic instability etc.) * Foot problem: The investigators will exclude those who have active foot ulcer or infection or major lower extremities amputation. * Vision or hearing problems: The investigators will exclude those with hearing or visual problems that cannot be corrected with medical devices (glasses or hearing aids). Hearing or visual problems can limit their ability to interact with the exergame platform. * lack of capacity to consent, and inability or unwillingness to participate regularly in the exercise program; * unable to communicate in English or Spanish, or unlikely to fully comply with the follow-up protocol (e.g., lack of caregiver support to safely perform exercise tasks at home or complete the questionnaires). Clarifying exclusion criteria * Ongoing treatment: The investigators will NOT exclude those who are participating in standard of care physical therapy program (Receipt of Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech Therapy (ST), Mental Health (MH), and Social Work (SW) Services). However, the investigators will document these services and will control for it. However, those who are receiving non- standard of care exercise therapy (e.g. other exercise research study) or receiving active intensive or induction therapy for cancer (e.g. undergoing active initial chemotherapy or radiotherapy). * Others: The investigators will NOT exclude but will document common comorbidities such as pneumonia, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. Pulmonary embolism or acute coronary syndrome maybe included if there is no contraindications like severe hemodynamic instability or active angina.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for COVID -19 are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX
Houston, Texas, 77030-4211, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can balance training keep neuropathy patients on their feet?
- Home antibody tests put to the test: can you read your own COVID-19 result?
- Can dance classes keep older adults steady on their feet?
- Can lung ultrasound reveal COVID-19's signature in the lungs?
- Why standard physical therapy may miss the mark for Low-Income trauma survivors
- Can two Pre-Surgery sessions speed shoulder recovery?