Institutionalized elderly rehabilitation – improving balance ability with a platform technology

• Author(s): Pimentel, Maria Manuela da Silva ; Mendes, Eugénia ; Novo, André ; Preto, Leonel
• Date: 2015
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10198/12542
• Origin: Biblioteca Digital do IPB
• Subject(s): Aging; Balance; Fear of falling; Platform games
• Document Type: Conference object
• Language: English
• Contributor(s): Biblioteca Digital do IPB

Description

Ageing is associated with a decrease in the functionality of all organic systems. One factor that affects the quality of life in the elderly is the decrease of balance that sometimes leads to falls and consequently the fear of falling. In this sense, it is essential to try to mitigate this progressive degeneration. Wii is a platform technology and method that can be used to improve balance in elderly and thus enable them a better quality of life and well-being. Objective: To investigate whether an exercise program using Wii games, improve balance in a group of institutionalized elderly. Method: A quasi-experimental study was design in which it was used a sociodemographic questionnaire, nine of the ten tests of Fullerton Balance Advanced Scale to assess balance and the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) to assess fear of falling. The exercises program where performed on the Wii platform, and applied in 10 minutes session three times a week for two months. Results: Twenty elderly were included, 70% women, with an average age of 82.20±4.92 years, 55% were widowed, 35% single and 10% married. The results of the Fullerton Balance Advanced Scale evaluation showed that 17 elderly improved balance and 3 elderly decreased. The Fear of falling results showed a statistically significant increase (Z=–2.875; p=0.004) from the first to the second assessment moment (67.20±12.07 vs 70.25±12.94). Conclusions: The exercise program set up with the Wii platform improved balance ability and decreased fear of falling in the elderly who participated in this study. Wii games can be used in rehabilitation of elderly to improve balance and reduce fear of falling.