Abstract
Background Patients recovering from a variety of wrist injuries are frequently advised to exercise
to regain lost wrist and hand function. Treatment regimens to regain motion in the
wrist are highly variable, and adherence to exercise protocols is known to be low.
A serious game ReValidate! incorporating standardized exercise regimens was developed to motivate patients.
In this study, the game is evaluated regarding its face validity and content validity.
Methods In this cross-sectional study, a mixed group of “users” (n = 53) including patients currently recovering from wrist injury, and a mixed group
of “experts” (n = 46) including professionals advising patients on therapy regimen after wrist injury
played at least one complete level of the serious game. Players evaluated the game
by means of a structured questionnaire regarding its content, clinical applicability,
and user experience. Questions were answered on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly
disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
Results All groups valued the game as being able to support wrist rehabilitation and being
of use to patients recovering from a distal radius fracture (users: median 4, P25–P75
3–4 vs. experts: median 4, P25–P75 3.50–5; p = not significant). The types of exercises performed during the game were considered
to be both realistic and complete compared with regular physiotherapy exercises (users:
median 4, P25–P75 3–4 vs. experts: median 4, P25–P75 3–5, p = not significant).
Conclusions The ReValidate! serious game can be regarded as a valid tool for patients to regain their wrist function
after injury.
Level of evidence This is a Level II study.
Keywords serious gaming - games - rehabilitation - physiotherapy - treatment adherence - distal
radius fracture - mobile technology - e-health
