Influence of the Use of Wii Games on Physical Frailty Components in Institutionalized Older Adults

Abstract

Aging is a multifactorial physiological phenomenon in which cellular and molecular changes occur. These changes lead to poor locomotion, poor balance, and an increased falling risk. This study aimed to determine the impact and effectiveness of the use of the Wii® game console on improving walking speed and balance, as well as its influence on frailty levels and falling risk, in older adults. A longitudinal study was designed with a pretest/post-test structure. The study population comprised people over 75 years of age who lived in a nursing home or attended a day care center (n = 80; 45 women; 84.2 ± 8.7 years). Forty of them were included in the Wii group (20 rehabilitation sessions during 8 consecutive weeks), and the other 40 were in the control group. Falling risk and frailty were evaluated using the Downton scale and Fried scale; balance and walking speed were assessed with the Berg Balance scale and the Gait Speed Test, respectively, as well as the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The results showed that there was no significant association between Frailty Phenotype and study groups in baseline. However, there was significant association between Frailty Phenotype and study groups at the end of study. Moreover, a significantly higher and negative percentage change (Δ) in the Wii group with respect to the control group on the in falling risk (−20.05 ± 35.14% vs. 7.92 ± 24.53%) and in walking speed (−6.42 ± 8.83% vs. −0.12 ± 4.51%) during study, while there was a higher and positive significant percent change in static balance (6.07 ± 5.74% vs. 2.13 ± 4.64%) and on the SPPB (20.28 ± 20.05% vs. 0.71 ± 7.99%) after 8 weeks of study. The main conclusion of this study was that the use of the Wii® video console for 8 weeks positively influenced walking speed, falling risk, static balance, and frailty levels in older adults. Through a rehabilitation program with the Wii® game console in the older adults, frailty levels are reduced, accompanied by a reduction in falling risk and an increase in static balance and walking speed.

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.…”

“…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. Gonzalez-Bernal et al [ 4 ] demonstrated in institutionalized older adults that Wii Fit ® allows in eight weeks of physical practice through Wii Fit ® games a significant decrease in the risk of falls and a significant improvement in static balance.…”

“…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.…”

“…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.…”