Independent Blog

Last Thursday, the 26th, I accompanied my mentor and a couple other people from Blue Marble Game Company to the YMCA for some field testing with the game, Health in Motion. At the YMCA, we had six elders, ranging from around 71-76, come in and do a fall screening.

Going out and testing this game with elders helps us see...

1. how the users react to the game
2. what they like/dislike about the game
3. how we can improve the game to make it more enjoyable to the user
4. if the Kinect is working/tracking the movements properly
5. how to make the instructions/use of the game easier for the user to understand

Those are a few of the things we looked at while game testing. It is extremely important for us to see how the seniors interact with the game because they are our target audience. If they are not able to navigate the game on their own and enjoy it, then the game will not sell as much. Going out and field testing helps with so many different aspects of the game and it is so much fun to meet these people and have them test out Health in Motion.

Nina(seat left) is my mentor. She explains the game to the seniors, helps them while they play to game to make sure they're safe(she's a PT), and asks them questions about the game.

Rachel(seated right) records and codes the videos while the play test is happening.

Tony(standing right) is one of the designers of the game. He is there to observe to see how the game can be improved, see that the tracking is working properly, and to help with technical difficulties.

Blog 18: Fourth Interview Preparation

1. Why is fall prevention so important?
2. How can falling effect an elderly person's way of life?
3. How does home improvement/installations help in preventing falls?
4. Would you recommend a personal trainer/PT or an at home program? Why?
5. What do you think are the most effective exercises for an elder to perform?
6. What does a video game offer that other fall prevention strategies don't?
7. Does an at home video game have any disadvantages? What are they?
8. How often do these tasks need to be performed in order to use them to the full extent?
9. What do you believe is the best way to prevent falling?
10. What kind of external factors can increase fall risk?
11. Do you think putting someone in a facility is a good or bad thing? Why?
12. If it was your loved one, how would you prepare them?
13. How do you work around health issues? Like if they have arthritis or something and it is painful for them to exercise.
14. Is there any way to prevent falling without exercising?
15. How do you help those with fear?
16. How is communication with the client helpful?
17. Why is trust between the patient and PT/program important?
18. How do you approach a client in order to build a solid foundation with them?
19. Are there ever any difficult clients? How do you get past that?
20. What is the most important thing to remember throughout the fall prevention process?

Blog 17: Answer 3

1. What is your EQ?

What is the best way for a healthcare professional to reduce the risk of falling in the elderly?

2. What is your third answer?

The best way for a healthcare professional to reduce the risk of falling in the elderly is by implementing multiple interventions with the patients.

3. My research articles 10, 18, and 25 best support my third answer.

4. Take precautions in multiple areas like exercise, at home prevention, and medication regulation will help cover more ground in reducing falls.