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. 2010 Sep 13:3:238.
doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-3-238.

EXercising with Computers in Later Life (EXCELL) - pilot and feasibility study of the acceptability of the Nintendo® WiiFit in community-dwelling fallers

Marie A Williams  1 , Roy L Soiza, Alison McE Jenkinson, Alison Stewart
Affiliations

EXercising with Computers in Later Life (EXCELL) - pilot and feasibility study of the acceptability of the Nintendo® WiiFit in community-dwelling fallers

Marie A Williams et al. BMC Res Notes. .

Abstract

Background: Falls management programmes have been instituted to attempt to reduce falls. This pilot study was undertaken to determine whether the Nintendo® WiiFit was a feasible and acceptable intervention in community-dwelling older fallers.

Findings: Community-dwelling fallers over 70 years were recruited and attended for computer-based exercises (n = 15) or standard care (n = 6). Balance and fear of falling were assessed at weeks 0, 4 and 12. Participants were interviewed on completion of the study to determine whether the intervention was acceptable.Eighty percent of participants attended 75% or more of the exercise sessions. An improvement in Berg Score was seen at four weeks (p = 0.02) and in Wii Age at 12 weeks (p = 0.03) in the intervention group. There was no improvement in balance scores in the standard care group.

Conclusion: WiiFit exercise is acceptable in self-referred older people with a history of falls. The WiiFit has the potential to improve balance but further work is required.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT01082042.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Baseline Characteristics
Figure 2
Figure 2
Follow up of trial participants a = due to knee pain b = 2 participants did not attend for 4 week assessment but attended subsequent visits c = due to death of spouse (NB this participant did not attend for 4 week assessment) d = admitted to hospital e = 2 participants did not attend for 4 week assessment but attended subsequent visits f = admitted to hospital
Figure 3
Figure 3
Berg, Tinetti and FES-I scores at baseline, 4 weeks and 12 weeks
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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