Abstract
Exercise interventions and health promotion programs can help maintain or improve quality of life for older adults. However, the majority of older adults in the United States do not adhere to such programs. We designed a novel technological app (for tablets, computers, and phones) that combines Bingo, Exercise, and Health Education, which can be used at older adult facilities remotely. We recruited older adults (N=38) from nearby independent living senior communities and randomly assigned them to either a Bingocize group (Exercise+Bingo+Health Education) or a non-exercise Control group (Bingo+Health Education only); both groups used the app twice weekly for ten weeks so we could assess the efficacy of using the program. We collected pre- and post-intervention data on fluid cognition, functional performance, and physical health. The Bingocize group did not show differential improvement (i.e., a Group x Pre/Post interaction) on any of our cognitive executive function tasks, which examined inhibition, shifting, updating, and fluency, all F(1,35), p>.05. However, they did differentially improve in some aspects of health and functional performance; for example, they improved in arm curl repetitions, F(1,35)=4.38, p<.05, ηp2=.10. Additionally, both groups improved in their knowledge of the health topics (osteoarthritis and fall risk reduction), F(1,36)=107.62, p<.01, ηp2=0.75, suggesting the program can be used to teach health topics to older adults. Finally, participants in both groups increased health activation, suggesting their perspective on health-promoting behaviors had improved, F(1,36)=6.30, p<.05, ηp2=.15. Overall, the app was well-received by older participants and may be useful in improving adherence to health-promoting programs.