Effect of Wii Fit Exercise With Balance and Lower Limb Muscle Strength in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

BackgroundFalls and fall-related injuries are not uncommon among older adults and may lead to serious health deterioration and decreased quality of life. Numerous types of physical activity have been proposed to improve balance and strength in older adults with varying degrees of success. Nintendo's Wii Fit video exergame uses body movement as a game controller and provides real-time feedback for games designed to enhance balance and muscle strength. However, whether Wii Fit exercise improves the balance and lower limb muscle strength of older adults remains uncertain.ObjectiveTo evaluate the current literature by using meta-analyses to assess whether Wii Fit exercise is associated with improved balance and lower limb muscle strength in older adults.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data from inception to February 16, 2022, for relevant studies and conducted a manual search of the literature. Data extraction of the included studies were independently performed by two authors. The methodologic quality of each included study was assessed using the Physical Therapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Meta-analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.3.ResultsOf 991 articles initially identified, 10 articles (379 participants; aged ≥65 years, range 65–92 years; 188 participants in Wii Fit exercise groups, and 191 participants in control groups), including 8 randomized controlled trials, were assessed in this meta-analysis. The methodologic quality of the included studies evaluated with the PEDro average score was 6.4 and ranged from 5 to 8 points, indicating moderate quality. Compared with no exercise, Wii Fit exercise was associated with significant improved scores on the Berg Balance Scale, which evaluates functional balance (mean difference, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.61–2.16; I2 = 31%; P = 0.0005) and on the Timed Up and Go test, which evaluates static and dynamic balance (standardized mean difference, −0.51; 95% CI,−0.88 to −0.14; I2 = 52%; P = 0.007). However, for the three studies assessed, Wii Fit exercise did not significantly improve scores on the 30-s chair stand test, which evaluates the functional strength and endurance of the lower limb muscles (mean difference, 0.82; 95% CI, −0.14 to 1.77; z = 1.68; P = 0.09).ConclusionsOur findings indicated that Wii Fit exercise is an effective approach to improve functional, static, and dynamic balance among older adults. Additional meta-analyzes with higher numbers of randomized controlled trials are suggested to confirm the benefits of Wii Fit exercise on balance in older adults, to establish whether functional strength and endurance of lower limb muscles are improved, and to explore the relationship between improved balance and fall prevention in this population.

Effectiveness of feedback-based technology on physical and cognitive abilities in the elderly

“…In conclusion, the development of this study has shown that the use of the protocol on older people improves memory, precision speed, balance, gait, global autonomy and mood. Although there are previous investigations that have been able to obtain these same findings separately ( Li et al, 2018 ; Perrochon et al, 2019 ; Jahouh et al, 2021 ; Liu et al, 2022 ), our study is proposed as an integrative strategy that can holistically address all the areas that make up the individual, maintaining their functionality and capabilities. In addition, unlike other studies, the incorporation of instruments that assess attention as a complex cognitive function, once the improvements we propose have been added, could be effective in anticipating the choice of the best therapy for the participants, since we could acquire data on the way the brain processes and this could make it easier for us to choose the game that best suits each need.…”

The Effects of Nintendo Wii Fit on Postural Balance Control Training in the Geriatric Population: A Review

“…A randomised control trial (RCT) conducted on the senior population in the community using game-based virtual reality concluded that there was a substantial improvement in the strength of the lower limbs and functional capacity. Training using Nintendo Wii might lead to maximum adherence to the community or home-established settings since the participant motivation levels are inflated [ 27 ]. In preceding studies, unescorted Wii Fit training improved balance.…”

Effects of active exergames on physical performance in older people: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis

“…The results that active exergames report on the physical functional and physical fitness in older people (23,24), added to the increase of studies with high-quality design (randomized controlled trials), have allowed the development of several systematic reviews with and without meta-analysis that synthesize this evidence (19,(25)(26)(27)(28). However, to the best of our knowledge, a study that condenses all these systematic reviews into a single document has not yet been published.…”