The COVID‐19 pandemic had a global impact, increasing the prevalence of physical inactivity, which is mostly due to the lockdown and social distancing measures adopted during the pandemic. Hence, this study aimed to compare the efficacy of augmented reality‐based training on physical activity performance and motivation in healthy adults to mirror visual feedback training and conventional physical therapy. This study used the randomized control trial pretest‐posttest research design. Forty‐eight healthy men aged 18–35 years who were engaged in recreational physical activities were enrolled and randomly divided into four groups: augmented reality‐based training reality (ART), mirror visual feedback training (MVFT), therapist‐based training (TBT), and control group. The total training program was held for four weeks. The isokinetic dynamometer, sit‐and‐reach test, Y balance test, and the intrinsic motivation inventory‐22 were used to measure the outcomes before and after the intervention. Paired sample t‐test was used to compare the changes before and after the intervention within groups, while the one‐way ANOVA was used for the comparison between the groups. Results of the study showed that, after four weeks of intervention, balance, muscle strength, and muscle endurance in all groups significantly improved except for the control group. The ART group showed the highest increase in muscle strength, muscle endurance, and balance compared to the other groups. The motivation level increased in all three feedback groups and was observed in the following order: ART group > MVFT group > TBT group > control group. This study highlighted the most effective method that may be applied for home training during and after this period of the pandemic. The findings revealed that training while receiving real‐time feedback via AR devices improves both physical performance and motivation. Augmented reality‐based training can be used as an effective training option for improving physical activity and motivation and can be suggested for home training programs.

The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the feasibility of multiplayer game contents with dual-task exercises using augmented reality (AR) and a personal health record (PHR) system for social skills and cognitive function in children with autism. The present study used a single group pretest–posttest study design with fourteen children diagnosed with autism and aged 6–16 years. The intervention consisted of various game contents designed specifically with cognitive and motor tasks, performed for 30 min per session, twice a week, for three weeks. Outcome measures were conducted before and after the intervention and included social skills and cognitive function. A satisfactory survey was conducted post-intervention to assess the usability of the performed games. As result, statistically significant improvements were observed in all subscales of the social skills and cognitive function expected in two subscales of each measured outcome. Parents and children appreciated the overall game program, and no risk of injury and dizziness were mentioned. This preliminary study found that multiplayer game-based dual-task training using AR and PHR was feasible and has a promising efficacy for children with autism. However, there is the need to conduct a randomized control study with a large sample size.

There is growing interest in using augmented reality (AR)-based training for rehabilitation programs, while it remains unclear whether physical exercises using AR can be more effective than conventional therapy for patients with total knee replacement (TKR). This study, therefore, aimed to compare the effects of AR-based training to conventional therapist-based training on the physical performance of early-stage rehabilitation in patients after a TKR. It was a double-blind randomized controlled trial with repeated measures (pre-surgery, post-surgery, and post-intervention). Twenty-four participants with TKR were allocated to either AR-based training or therapist-based training. Both groups received a training program for 30 min per session, three sessions per week, for four weeks. The outcome measures included the range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, balance, and perceived pain. The results showed significant improvements in all measured outcomes in both groups (p < 0.05). However, despite our hypothesis that ART would be more effective than the TKR, no significant differences in all the outcomes were found between the two groups. While there was some evidence showing that performing physical exercises using AR could improve physical performance in patients with TKR after surgery, a comparison with conventional therapy did not show superior effectiveness. However, AR could be used to provide real-time feedback and motivation appropriate for home-training programs.

People diagnosed with developmental disabilities are less likely to participate in physical activities even if they are provided opportunities. This study aimed to examine the effects of dual-task exercise-based augmented reality (AR) on muscle strength, muscle endurance, balance ability, and flexibility among people with developmental disabilities. Twenty-seven patients with developmental disabilities were included in the study. The intervention was based on an AR-based rehabilitation program and lasted for 8 weeks. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in muscle strength, muscle endurance, balance ability, and flexibility after the intervention (p < 0.05). The AR-based dual-task program increased interest and motivation in the high-cognitive-stage groups, while less interest and motivation were observed in the low-cognitive-stage groups. Our results suggest that an AR-based dual-task program can be an effective method to improve physical ability in patients with high cognitive levels.

Caffeine is considered a widely consumed natural and legal psychoactive stimulant with several effects on the body. The present study attempted to investigate the effects of caffeine consumed before and after a physical exercise on cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory functions in healthy adults. 36 healthy adult males were recruited and randomly allocated to one of the three (3) groups: group I (exercise without caffeine consumption), group II (caffeine beverage intake before exercise), and group III (caffeine beverage intake immediately after exercise). The heart rate (HR), QTc interval, blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), oxygen consumption (VO₂), and carbon dioxide emission (VCO₂) were measured at 0, 5, 10, and 15 min after the exercise. We observed a significant difference in all measured outcomes during the different recovery times in all the groups (p < 0.05). HR, RR, SBP, VO₂, and VCO₂ gradually decreased with time, DBP contrarily increased with time, and the QTc showed an irregular pattern. We can affirm that ingestion of caffeine before and after moderate aerobic exercise slows down the parasympathetic stimulation, heart rate recovery, and the recovery of HR and QTc with no major effects on BP, RR, VO₂, and VCO₂ in healthy adult men.

Background: Numerous stroke survivors reintegrating into the community experience cognitive challenges that restrict their engagement, subsequently contributing to additional cognitive decline and adversely affecting their quality of life. Objective: This study seeks to feasibility a cognitive training system based on virtual reality with a smart mirror designed for cognitive disabled persons with chronic stroke in the community setting. Methods: Ten cognitive disabled persons with chronic stroke aged 60 years older, each with independent mobility in the community, were involved in this study. The validation process included a 30-min cognitive training session administered twice a week for eight weeks. The feasibility of cognitive function assessments employed the MoCA-K and CoSAS. Additionally, a usability test was performed at the end of the experiment using SUS and the Adapted IMI. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was then employed to compare pre- and post-cognitive function results. Results: The feasibility of the implemented cognitive training system based on virtual reality with smart mirror revealed significant differences in the total score, delayed recall, and orientation items of the MoCA-K (p < 0.05). Additionally, a notable improvement was observed in the accuracy and response time of task performance in the CoSAS (p < 0.05). Usability test results indicated an SUS mean score of 73.5 (SD 17.25) and an Adapted IMI score of 5.63 (SD 1.55), surpassing suggested thresholds for usability tests. Conclusions: Providing a cognitive training system tailored for the community, this approach aims to the prevention and recovery of cognitive issues in the older cognitive disabled persons with chronic stroke.