Usability and User Experience of a Social Serious Game System: Evidence from a Multi-Center Study
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Social Bike is a system that combines a cycle-ergometer with three non-immersive Serious Games. It is de-signed to combine physical and cognitive exercise, individually or socially, and to promote a more active lifestyle. In this work, we present a multi-center evaluation focused on the system’s usability and user experience, conducted in three clinical centers, a school, and a research institute, involving both patients with rehabilitation needs and healthy users (N=87). The study combines quantitative and qualitative measures. Each participant completed two 10-minute cycling sessions with the system: one in individual mode and one in social mode. Furthermore, a subsample of patients (N=6) used the system for 2 weeks and reported feedback on motivation, sense of inclusion, and game experience after this period. Social Bike was perceived as usable by both healthy participants and patients (tot SUS mean = 77.86 ± 12.5), but patients reported significantly higher usability (U = 397.5, p = 0.002). Qualitative data confirmed the value of the social mode in supporting motivation and engagement and suggested targeted improvements to the interface and game balance. Longitudinal exploratory analysis indicated good stability in patient motivation to use the system (Median = 6 in t0 and t1 single mode; Median = 5.88 in t0 and t1 social mode) and a stable sense of inclusion (Median = 4 in t0 and t1, both game modes). These results provide preliminary evidence on the system’s applicability in clinical and non-clinical settings.
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7203828563