A Mobile Application for Improving Functional Performance and Health Education in Older Adults: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this pilot study was to test a mobile app that combines exercise, health education, and bingo (Bingocize®) to improve functional performance, health knowledge, and adherence.Senior volunteers were assigned to use the app on tablets twice a week for 10 weeks or a use the app to play only modified bingo.Pre/post functional performance and health education knowledge were compared using Mixed ANOVA (p<.05).Health knowledge ( λ=6.06, F (1,10)=6.50, p=.029, =.394), Short Physical Performance Battery ( λ=.584, F(1, 10) =6.41, p=.032, =.416) , and gait velocity (λ=6.10,F (1,10)=6.40,improved in the experimental group only.Adherence was equivalent in both groups.Bingocize® and ef fective way to teach older adults health information, while improving functional performance.