Efficacy of serious exergames in improving neuropsychiatric symptoms in neurocognitive disorders: Results of the X-TORP cluster randomized trial

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a serious exergame in improving the neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients with neurocognitive disorders. Methods X-Torp is a serious exergame combining motor and cognitive activities. Ninety-one subjects (mean age = 81.7 years, mean Mini-Mental State Examination = 18.3) were recruited in 16 centers. Centers were randomized into intervention and control centers. Subjects underwent assessment for cognitive and behavioral symptoms at baseline (BL), the end of the intervention (W12), and 12 weeks after the end of the intervention (W24). Results The comparison of neuropsychiatric symptoms between BL and W12 and W24 showed that subjects of the intervention group improved in apathy between BL and W12. Mixed analysis (time BL, W12, W24 x group) indicated a significant increase in apathy and neuropsychiatric symptoms in the control subjects. Discussion The use of X-Torp improved neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly apathy. Future studies should more consistently use behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms as outcome measures.