Authors (including presenting author) :
Luk O(1)(3), Mok Q(1)(3), Chung M(1), Kwong S(1), Yong R(2), Wong MS(3), Wong MY(3)
Affiliation :
(1)Physiotherapy Department, Hong Kong East Cluster, (2)Dietetics Department, Hong Kong East Cluster, (3)Family Medicine & Primary Health Care Department, Hong Kong East Cluster
Introduction :
Physical Exercise is a crucial component for management of Hypertension, Diabetes and Obesity. Patient engagement with regular exercise habit is important to gain sustainable healthful effects. Virtual Reality exercise was introduced in our empowerment Physical Fitness Exercise Program for these patient groups. It provided entertaining exercise experience and real time feedback to patients to encourage body to move. Patients from General Out-patient Clinics in HKEC with HT, DM and Body Mass Index ≥ 25 were recruited into ‘Physical Fitness Exercise Program for HT, DM and Obesity patients’. 4 sessions were provided in 2 months, focusing on education of weight management and dietary concepts by dietitian; disease specific exercise coaching with precautions, prescription and progression by physiotherapist. Apart from muscle strengthening exercises, Virtual Reality exercises, e.g. jogging, kick boxing, pop dancing, were selected during the practical sessions.
Objectives :
1. To promote physical fitness and minimize health risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases 2. To empower patients with knowledge and exercise skills for management of HT, DM and Obesity 3. To engage patients to develop regular exercise habit.
Methodology :
Clinical assessment and questionnaire were conducted for evaluation with a 9-month telephone follow-up.
Result & Outcome :
In conlcusion, the Physical Fitness Exercise Program aroused patients’ motivation for developing sustainable exercise habit and improved exercise performance sucessfully. Patient engagement with good exercise compliance through specific exercise intervention in turn could minimize health risks and medical cost. Strategies in enhancing exercise adherence for different components of exercise can be further explored. 53 patients (age 38-70; mean age 58.2) completed the program from November 2016 to October 2017. In 2-month follow-up, objective measurements showed improvement in 2-minute step test (90->98 steps), resting systolic BP (133->128 mmHg), diastolic BP (80->76 mmHg) and 60% patients' body weight reduced by 1.3kg in average. 98% patients agreed Virtual Reality exercise could arouse their interest to perform exercise. 85% patients without exercise habit developed regular exercise habit after joining the program. There was improvement in exercise compliance (≥150 minutes per week) from 32% to 68% of the patients. Besides, both weekly aerobic and strengthening exercise duration were increased (100->144 minutes / 12->32 minutes). 42 patients (80%) were able to contact at 9-month telephone follow-up. Weekly duration in aerobic and strengthening exercises were maintained at 152 and 21 minutes respectively, incurring a total 173 minutes per week.
Co-location with:
