Impact of an Intervention with Wii Video Games on the Autonomy of Activities of Daily Living and Psychological–Cognitive Components in the Institutionalized Elderly

Abstract

As people age, the risk of disease increases and deterioration becomes more noticeable. These changes can increase the risk of cognitive impairment, with negative consequences for the quality of life and the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) in older people, which translate into greater dependence and loss of wellness. This study aimed to determine the impact and effectiveness of the use of the Wii® game console (Nintendo Company Limited, Kyoto, Japan) on improving performance of basic and instrumental ADLs, as well as its relationship with cognitive impairment levels and mood in institutionalized older people. A longitudinal study was designed, whose study population consisted of people over 75 years of age who lived in a nursing-home or attended a day care center (n = 80; 45 women). Cognitive status was assessed using Lobo’s Mini-Cognitive Examination (MCE) and Global Deterioration Scale (FAST-GDS), while the psychological assessment used the Dementia Apathy Interview and Rating (DAIR), Yesavage scale for Geriatric Depression (EGD-15), and Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (EADG). Differences from T1 to T2 in the control group (control; n = 40; 23 women; 83.25 ± 8.78 years; 76.35 ± 13.54 kg) and in the experimental group (Wii; n = 40; 22 women; 85.05 ± 8.63 years; 74.60 ± 13.01 kg) were evaluated using a paired Student’s t-test or Wilcoxon’s signed rank test, and a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Differences in Δ (%) and other tests at T1 and T2 were compared using the independent t-test or Mann–Whitney U test, with the treatment category as a fixed factor. The results showed that the Wii® video console had a positive influence for older people, increasing cognitive status and levels of ADLs, and psychological status. In addition, a positive correlation between performance of ADLs and cognitive status was observed, as well as a negative correlation with the psychological status. Through a rehabilitation program with a Wii® game console in the elderly, depression, anxiety and apathy levels were reduced, accompanied by an increase in memory and attention, as well as in performance of basic and instrumental ADLs.

Sarcopenia, Exercise and Quality of Life

“…This special edition of the Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ( IJERPH ) has brought together eleven research manuscripts [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ] and a brief report [ 12 ]. This special issue, entitled “ Sarcopenia, Exercise and Quality of Life ” gathered 12 manuscripts [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]; four (33.3%) manuscripts are related to the impact of physical activity concerning sarcopenia [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 10 ]. Two manuscripts were used for the Wii Fit ® games as an intervention tool for physical activity in institutionalized elderly patients [ 4 , 6 ].…”

“…This special issue, entitled “ Sarcopenia, Exercise and Quality of Life ” gathered 12 manuscripts [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]; four (33.3%) manuscripts are related to the impact of physical activity concerning sarcopenia [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 10 ]. Two manuscripts were used for the Wii Fit ® games as an intervention tool for physical activity in institutionalized elderly patients [ 4 , 6 ]. Wii Fit ® represents an innovative element for the practice of exercise, of low economic cost compared to other traditional programs, which allows working of all the components of exercise obtaining favorable results on the biomarkers of physiological evaluation of the patient.…”

“…Additionally, the improvements obtained in the patients’ physical condition allow us to affirm that the practice of exercise for the use of Wii Fit ® games is an adequate therapeutic strategy, minimally aggressive, and reduces the degree of disability and risk of hospitalization [ 4 ]. Another study [ 6 ] by the same research group, using a similar research methodology, managed to stimulate and generate emotions much more beneficial than the usual practice of exercise, allowing improvement of attention and memory processes, attenuating the negative impacts of depression, anxiety, and apathy. Therefore, the Wii Fit ® allows the reaching of adequate cognitive and psychological levels that directly influence performance improvement in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) [ 6 ].…”

“…Another study [ 6 ] by the same research group, using a similar research methodology, managed to stimulate and generate emotions much more beneficial than the usual practice of exercise, allowing improvement of attention and memory processes, attenuating the negative impacts of depression, anxiety, and apathy. Therefore, the Wii Fit ® allows the reaching of adequate cognitive and psychological levels that directly influence performance improvement in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) [ 6 ].…”

“…The twelve manuscripts [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ] published in this Special Issue “ Sarcopenia, Exercise and Quality of Life ” highlight non-pharmacological interventions based on therapeutic physical exercise, with instruments and activities adapted to the older adult population. New diagnostic techniques for sarcopenia are reflected to successfully identify the sarcopenic elderly, and modern descriptors of sarcopenia based on different body composition measurements are established.…”