Using the Nintendo Wii as an Intervention in a Falls Prevention Group

Abstract

Several possible mechanisms could explain the protective role of PA against disability. For instance, PA promotes healthy behaviors through self-motivation and better-functioning social networks, which in turn contribute to maintaining good health and avoiding disability. Alternatively, PA could affect health through physiological changes; with people expressing PA being better able to cope with stressful situations and therefore maintaining less-damaging neuroendocrine and immunological patterns. 10 The positive spectrum of human emotion should be explored in clinical settings to better understand its protective effect on health-related outcomes. This information would help clinicians in determining whether preservation of PA could play a role in the prevention or management of disability in elderly adults.Adjusted for age, sex, educational level, cognitive impairment, number of chronic diseases, pain, history of amputation, visual impairment, and negative affect.

The use of gaming technology for rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis

“…In rehabilitation, exergaming has been used as a tool to improve balance and functional movement in a variety of populations. [3][4][5][6][7][8] One of the main reasons for employing video games is the ability to increase motivation and produce a distraction ( Figure 3) from mundane and boring training and/or painful treatments. 9 It is interesting to note that when an earlier review of exergaming was published there were no studies carried out in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), 1 even though it is possible that the reported benefits of exergaming in balance and mobility in other populations will have a positive impact on PwMS.…”

“…9 It is interesting to note that when an earlier review of exergaming was published there were no studies carried out in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), 1 even though it is possible that the reported benefits of exergaming in balance and mobility in other populations will have a positive impact on PwMS. [3][4][5][6][7][8] This review will describe some of the key exergame research to promote physical activity and its use in rehabilitation in The use of gaming technology for rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis other diseases or clinical populations. We will then describe the current state of research in exergaming in PwMS and describe the theories for the mechanism behind some of the improvements in outcomes seen after using exergaming.…”

Comparing the Energy Expenditure of Wii Fit™-Based Therapy Versus Traditional Physiotherapy

“…1 The Wii Fit has been used as a tool to aid rehabilitation in patients with, for example, cerebral palsy, 2 stroke, 3 and falls. 4 The improvements to functional clinical outcomes have been marked. For example, in elderly fallers our earlier work has shown that training that incorporates the Wii Fit as an adjunct to traditional training improves timed up-and-go, 10-m walk time/ speed, flexibility, and psychological well-being.…”

“…For example, in elderly fallers our earlier work has shown that training that incorporates the Wii Fit as an adjunct to traditional training improves timed up-and-go, 10-m walk time/ speed, flexibility, and psychological well-being. 4 Patients in our clinic anecdotally report the Wii Fit as being fun. Active gaming systems primarily are a form of entertainment and not a rehabilitation tool.…”

“…However, it is this entertaining quality that helps distract the patient, who focuses on game play rather than his or her impairment, which in turn results in more enjoyable exercise and improved adherence to and completion of fitness and rehabilitation training. 5 The mechanism by which improvements in clinical outcomes 4 have come about is unknown. For example, energy expenditure (EE) is greater when playing the Wii Fit compared with hand-held games but is less than treadmill walking 5 and less than playing actual sports.…”