Role Wii Fit exer-games in improving balance confidence and quality of life in elderly population

To determine the effects of Wii Fit exer-gaming on balance confidence, quality of life and fall risk in elderly population.

The double-blind randomised control trial was conducted at Kulsum International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, from July 31 to October 30, 2018, and comprised vitally stable, physically independent subjects of either gender aged 60 years and above, having no serious systemic disease. The subjects were randomly allocated into experimental group A and control group B using the concealed envelope method. After baseline assessment, group A received Wii fit gaming, while group B received balance training for 30 minutes twice a week for 8 weeks. Activities balance confidence (ABC), European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ 5D-5L), timed up and go (TUG) and Fukuda were used to assess the impact of the intervention. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.

Of the 90 subjects, 83(92.2%) completed the study. There were 51(62%) males and 32 (38%) females; and 45(50%) in each of the two groups. Group A had 42(50.6%) subjects with 26(62%) males and 16(38%) females, and 41 were in group B, with 25(61%) males and 16(39%) females. Balance confidence improved in both groups, but it was significantly higher in group A (p<0.001). Mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression as well as timed up and go and Fukuda showed significantly more improvement in group A compared to group B (p<0.05).

Wii fit was found to have the potential to improve balance confidence and quality of life, reducing the fall risk among the elderly.

IRCT20180417039344N1 by Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.