title: The Effectiveness of Exergames in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exergames are a well-known type of game based on a virtual avatar's body movements. This hightech approach promotes an active lifestyle.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of exergames on pain, disease activity, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 60 patients, who were randomized into either the exergame group (EG) or the control group (CG). The EG patients engaged in exergaming, and CG patients did not engage in any exercises. The exergaming sessions were performed five times a week for eight weeks (40 sessions in total). The patients were assessed before and after the eight-week program on a visual analog scale (VAS), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQOL) questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant improvement was observed in VAS, BASFI, BASDAI and ASQoL scores in the EG group after completion of the exercise program (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is a first step in investigating the possibilities of using an exergame platform to help patients with spondyloarthropathies to adopt a more physically active lifestyle. The results of this study suggest that exergames increase physical activity and decrease the pain scores in AS patients and also could, therefore, be feasible and safe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beyhekim State Hospital, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali Yavuz
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Karahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Iskenderun Marine Regiment Medical Center, Iskenderun, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tok
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kocaeli Derince Training and Research Hospital, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Pelin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beyhekim State Hospital, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ordahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beyhekim State Hospital, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gozde
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Turkoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nilay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sahin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018910:Video Games
keywords: ankylosing spondylitis; exercise; exergame; quality of life