Presentation
DH14 - Tele Tai Chi: Insights From Older Adults With Mobility Disabilities on Using Zoom for a Virtual Exercise Program
SessionPoster Session 2
DescriptionWorldwide, there has been tremendous growth in popularity of virtual wellness or Telewellness programs. From apps to videoconferencing-based classes, these remotely delivered programs offer the convenience of participating from anywhere and can facilitate access to specialized content. Telewellness holds great potential to support older adults with mobility disabilities who experience significant barriers to in-person exercise (e.g., limited transportation, inaccessible facilities and classes). Group Telewellness programs offer social opportunities which could be especially beneficial for this population and others who are at risk of social isolation. Despite potential, there are challenges to delivering technology-based exercise interventions for this population, including ensuring that participants are safe, have sufficient technology support, and are socially engaged in a virtual environment.
We conducted a clinical trial of the TechSAge Tele Tai Chi program – an evidence-based tai chi exercise program delivered via videoconferencing to older adults with long-term mobility disabilities (N=60; M age = 69; Range 60-77). Prior to the intervention, all participants received a one-on-one orientation in which a researcher provided a brief demonstration of the Zoom platform and reviewed relevant features (e.g., muting and unmuting, using the chat feature), assessed the participant’s immediate environment for safety concerns, and optimized the participant's audio and video quality, if necessary. Participants were also given support materials (i.e., using Zoom, tai chi movements). The 8-week intervention featured small-group classes on Zoom wherein participants exercised along with pre-recorded, seated tai chi lessons and engaged in facilitated social discussion. The Tele Tai Chi program was developed using a human factors approach that included a needs assessment, interviews with subject matter experts (i.e., exercise instructors who have experience teaching older adults with mobility disabilities), iterative usability testing of videoconferencing platforms with older adults, and feasibility testing. Our user-centered approach included our target population in all aspects of the intervention development and testing. The current presentation will highlight results from post-intervention interviews with participants about their experience in the virtual tai chi program, with specific emphasis on technological aspects of the study.
In general, the program was well-received by participants. The convenience of participating remotely and the ability to see and interact with peers on Zoom were the most liked aspects of the program. Nevertheless, many participants reported occasional technology issues, such as difficulty using Zoom features (e.g., chat) and audio or visual glitches during the broadcasted exercise lesson. Most participants reported that they had sufficient help and instruction for using Zoom, including those who had limited to no experience using videoconferencing prior to the study. Although most participants expressed that they would have preferred a live instructor that could offer real-time modifications and feedback, they generally enjoyed the exercise videos and did not have safety concerns. When asked about perceptions of seeing one another exercise on screen during the lessons, some found it made the class more interactive and enjoyable, while others did not feel comfortable being visible on screen and turned their cameras off. Perceptions on social time was mixed. Many participants enjoyed the guided group discussion and reported social benefits (e.g. peer connection, accountability), but this was not the case for all. Some participants found Zoom awkward for engaging in group discussion (e.g., accidentally interrupting one another) or simply would have preferred not having social time whatsoever due to personality differences (e.g., introverted) or were only interested in the exercise component of the class.
Findings demonstrate how comprehensive technology training (e.g., one-on-one Zoom orientations, support materials) can enable older users with mobility disabilities to successfully engage in virtual wellness programming. Participant insights illustrate opportunities to refine Telewellness classes that use pre-recorded video (e.g., improve audio-video lag) as well as user preferences for their ideal Telewellness class (e.g., live instruction and observation, real-time feedback). Participants’ varied preferences for virtual social time suggest that the structure, timing, and option to participate in social time should be catered to the specific goals and audience of a Telewellness program. Collectively, results provide useful insights for healthcare providers and community-based organizations to design and deliver Telewellness programs (e.g., rehab, physical exercise, mind-body) that are safe, engaging, and easy to use, which will ultimately facilitate continued adoption.
We conducted a clinical trial of the TechSAge Tele Tai Chi program – an evidence-based tai chi exercise program delivered via videoconferencing to older adults with long-term mobility disabilities (N=60; M age = 69; Range 60-77). Prior to the intervention, all participants received a one-on-one orientation in which a researcher provided a brief demonstration of the Zoom platform and reviewed relevant features (e.g., muting and unmuting, using the chat feature), assessed the participant’s immediate environment for safety concerns, and optimized the participant's audio and video quality, if necessary. Participants were also given support materials (i.e., using Zoom, tai chi movements). The 8-week intervention featured small-group classes on Zoom wherein participants exercised along with pre-recorded, seated tai chi lessons and engaged in facilitated social discussion. The Tele Tai Chi program was developed using a human factors approach that included a needs assessment, interviews with subject matter experts (i.e., exercise instructors who have experience teaching older adults with mobility disabilities), iterative usability testing of videoconferencing platforms with older adults, and feasibility testing. Our user-centered approach included our target population in all aspects of the intervention development and testing. The current presentation will highlight results from post-intervention interviews with participants about their experience in the virtual tai chi program, with specific emphasis on technological aspects of the study.
In general, the program was well-received by participants. The convenience of participating remotely and the ability to see and interact with peers on Zoom were the most liked aspects of the program. Nevertheless, many participants reported occasional technology issues, such as difficulty using Zoom features (e.g., chat) and audio or visual glitches during the broadcasted exercise lesson. Most participants reported that they had sufficient help and instruction for using Zoom, including those who had limited to no experience using videoconferencing prior to the study. Although most participants expressed that they would have preferred a live instructor that could offer real-time modifications and feedback, they generally enjoyed the exercise videos and did not have safety concerns. When asked about perceptions of seeing one another exercise on screen during the lessons, some found it made the class more interactive and enjoyable, while others did not feel comfortable being visible on screen and turned their cameras off. Perceptions on social time was mixed. Many participants enjoyed the guided group discussion and reported social benefits (e.g. peer connection, accountability), but this was not the case for all. Some participants found Zoom awkward for engaging in group discussion (e.g., accidentally interrupting one another) or simply would have preferred not having social time whatsoever due to personality differences (e.g., introverted) or were only interested in the exercise component of the class.
Findings demonstrate how comprehensive technology training (e.g., one-on-one Zoom orientations, support materials) can enable older users with mobility disabilities to successfully engage in virtual wellness programming. Participant insights illustrate opportunities to refine Telewellness classes that use pre-recorded video (e.g., improve audio-video lag) as well as user preferences for their ideal Telewellness class (e.g., live instruction and observation, real-time feedback). Participants’ varied preferences for virtual social time suggest that the structure, timing, and option to participate in social time should be catered to the specific goals and audience of a Telewellness program. Collectively, results provide useful insights for healthcare providers and community-based organizations to design and deliver Telewellness programs (e.g., rehab, physical exercise, mind-body) that are safe, engaging, and easy to use, which will ultimately facilitate continued adoption.
Event Type
Poster Presentation
TimeTuesday, April 14:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
LocationFrontenac Foyer