Abstract Objective: To assess the effect of exer-gaming on balance and gait in the elderly. Methods: The randomised controlled trial was conducted at Kulsum International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, from July to October 2018, and comprised physically independent subjects aged 60 years and above who were randomised into experimental and control groups suing concealed envelope method. The cases received exer-gaming for 30 minutes twice a week for 8 weeks, while the controls received balance training exercises twice a week for 8 weeks. Assessment was done at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention. Outcome measures were assessed with Berg balance scale and the gait abnormality rating scale modified. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Results: Of the 90 subjects, there were 45(50%) in each of the two groups. The intervention group had better outcome in terms of gait (p<0.05) except for foot contact and shoulder extension (p>0.05), while the difference related to balance was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Exer-gaming was found to be effective in improving various components of gait in the elderly compared to exercises. Key Words: Balance, Elderly population, Exer-gaming, Gait, Gait abnormality rating scale, Nintendo Wii Fit. Continuous...

Objective: To determine the effects of Wii Fit exer-gaming on balance confidence, quality of life and fall risk in elderly population Methods: A double blinded randomized control was conducted at Kulsum International Hospital, Islamabad from July 31st to October 30th, 2018. Following screening, 90 subjects fulfilled inclusion criteria and gave consent to be part of trial. Subjects were randomly allocated into experimental and control group by concealed envelope method. After baseline assessment, experimental group received Wii fit gaming while controls received balance training for 30 minutes twice a week for 8 weeks. Activities balance confidence (ABC), Euro 5Q5L, timed up and go (TUG) and Fukuda were used as outcome measures. Data was analysed by SPSS 21. Results: ABC improved in experimental group from 76.47±3.69 to 86.53±3.99, and in control group from 77.51±3.01 to 82.70±2.78 with significance < 0.001. The components of Euro 5Q5L; mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression have changed with intergroup significance of 0.05, 0.006, 0.595, <0.001, 0.001 respectively. TUG and Fukuda improved in experimental and control group as 15.73±2.30 to 12.02±1.40 and 16.24±1.75 to 13.68±1.58 with significance <0.001, and from 41.78±6.to 71 to 30.09±8.05 and 43.36±5.59 to 38.68±5.75 with significance <0.001 respectively. Conclusion: Wii fit improves balance confidence and quality of life reducing fall risk in elderly. Clinical Trial Number: IRCT20180417039344N1 Keywords: Balance training, Elderly, Exer-gaming, Quality of life, Wii fit Continuous...

Objective: To determine the association of depression, physical activity (PA) levels and general psychological health among physical therapy students of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among students of physiotherapy department at Rawalpindi and Islamabad Institutions, from August 2015 to January 2016. Five hundred students were recruited using non-probability convenient sampling. The data was collected through a questionnaire that comprised of demographic information, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), General Health Questionnaire-12(GHQ-12) and Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and correlation analysis was performed to see the relationship amongst depression, PA and general psychological health. Results: Majority of the students (42.6%) had mild depression. However, 64.8% students had no psychological distress. Moreover, 33.4% of the students were involved in aerobic activities and majority of them (37.6%) were not doing any activities to improve flexibility and increase muscle strength. There was an inverse correlation between RAPA and BDI-II (p<0.001) and a positive association between RAPA and GHQ-12 (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that majority of the students had mild depression but their general psychological health was not affected as they were involved in routine physical activity. The result of this study provides evidence that there is a negative relation between physical activity and depression and a positive relation between physical activity and general psychological health.

No abstract

No abstract