New UF study to examine effect of health games on exercise, chronic pain
A new study combines physical activity with interactive video games to examine pain levels of women with knee osteoarthritis. Peggy Smith, recruitment coordinator for the Aging and Rehabilitation Research Center at the University of Florida, tries out the bike as Rida Laeeq, student volunteer research assistant, watches. (Photo by Sarah Kiewel/University of Florida)
If exercise is fun, could it distract you from the pain of aching joints?
That's a question University of Florida researchers hope to answer with a new study that will examine pain levels of women with knee osteoarthritis as they participate in "exergaming" — physical activity that combines interactive video games.
The study is supported by a $113,000 grant from the National Institute on Aging to UF's Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center.
"Arthritis is one of the leading causes of pain," said lead investigator Bridgett Rahim-Williams, Ph.D., M.P.H., a research assistant professor in the College of Public Health and Health Professions' department of behavioral science and community health. "Physical activities, such as walking, swimming and cycling have been shown to have significant benefits, including reducing pain and improving quality of life for persons with arthritis. We hope to learn from this study the impact of pain on physical activity and if participants who enjoy the exercise will report less pain."
The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis is caused when joint cartilage wears down. The Arthritis Foundation estimates that 27 million Americans have osteoarthritis, with knee and hip joints most frequently affected by the disease.
During the study, the women will ride a stationary bike that is connected to a popular car racing video game. Riders control the car on the screen with their pedaling as they compete against other virtual cars. Participants will cycle for 15 minutes with and without the game and will be asked to rate their pain levels at five-minute intervals.
"If women find a physical activity that is fun, perhaps they will do it even in the face of pain, and when people are more physically active their health outcomes improve," Rahim-Williams said.
Researchers are seeking African-American and Caucasian women who are between the ages of 50 and 70 and have a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis to participate in PPAAS: Pain, Physical Activity, Aging and Arthritis Study. The one-time visit will last up to two hours and participants will receive a $50 gift card as compensation. For more information, please call 352-273-6091.
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