# Effects of Exergame with Biofeedback Training on Functional Status, Cognition, and Quality of Life in Outpatients with Polyneuropathies: A Longitudinal Pilot Study

## TL;DR

A pilot study found that combining exergames with biofeedback training improved functional status, cognition, and quality of life in polyneuropathy patients more effectively than standard rehabilitation.

## Contribution

This study is the first to demonstrate the added benefits of exergame-based biofeedback training in polyneuropathy rehabilitation with longitudinal follow-up.

## Key findings

- Both groups improved in functional status and cognition post-intervention, but the exergame group showed greater gains in executive functions and attention.
- The exergame group maintained quality of life and psychological benefits at 6-month follow-up, while the standard group declined.
- High usability and positive psychosocial impact of the exergame system correlated with improved executive function outcomes.

## Abstract

Background: Polyneuropathies impair sensory, motor, and autonomic functions, affecting functional status, cognition, and quality of life. This pilot study investigated the effects of exergame with biofeedback training (Riablo system) versus standard rehabilitation on these outcomes in outpatients with mixed-etiology polyneuropathies. Methods: Seventeen outpatients were assigned to standard rehabilitation (Group 1, n = 9) or combined standard plus Riablo training (Group 2, n = 8) over three weeks. Functional status, pain, cognition, quality of life, and psychological well-being were assessed pre- and post-intervention, with a 6-month follow-up. Outcome measures included the Morse Fall Scale, Visual Analogue Scales for pain and autonomy, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Trail Making Test (TMT), Stroop Test, Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), Verbal fluency test, the Short-Form Health Survey-12 (SF-12), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). Longitudinal changes and between-group differences were analyzed using nonparametric statistics. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in functional status and global cognition at post-intervention. Group 2 demonstrated greater improvements in executive functions and attention, with significant reductions in pain and fall risk. At 6-month follow-up, Group 2 maintained post-intervention gains in QoL and psychological outcomes, while Group 1 showed a significant decline. Technology evaluation revealed high usability and positive psychosocial impact in Group 2, with strong correlations between executive function improvements and device usability. Conclusions: Integrating exergames with biofeedback into standard rehabilitation may provide broader and longer-lasting benefits for polyneuropathy patients. These findings support further large-scale trials to confirm efficacy and optimize technology-assisted rehabilitation protocols.