Effect of video game commercial on short term balance training in Thai elderly

Abstract

Background: Fall is one of the leading causes to incapability of individuals over the age of 65 years old and commonly used as an indicator to reveal the ability to control balance. Consequence of falls can lead to fractures, activity avoidance, health decline, disability, fear of falling and hospitalization. Numbers of research reported that the most effective fall-prevention programs involved a variety of tasks which challenge balance, such as multisensory balance training and a training program done by a game console or video games. Purpose:The objectives of this studywere to compare the effect of video game commercial exercise and home based exercise on short-term effect in improving balance in the elderly. Methods: Forty-eight healthy elderly, age 65–80 years were included. Participants were randomized into a video game based exercise (Wii) group (n= 24) and a home based exercise group (n= 24). The Wii group was set at Phra Nung Kloa hospital elderly club and received video game exercise 30-45minutes per day, 3 days a week, for 4 weeks. The home based group was received self-monitored exercise for 30minutes, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. The home based group was reminded about the exercises by the researcher via telephone twice a week and also received a handbook to prevent fall. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Fullerton Advance Balance Scale (FAB), and Functional Reach Test (FRT) were evaluated at the beginning of training, the end of week 1, 2, 3 and at the completed of the training on week 4. Results: Repeated two way ANOVA showed no significantly different reach distance (FRT) when compared Wii group and home base group at the end of week 4 (p= 0.144). Both groups showed significantly improved reach distance (FRT) started at the end of week 1, score of FAB and BBS at the end of week 2 and 3 respectively (p< 0.05). No significantly different between groups in BBS and FAB was found. Conclusion(s): Video game based exercise and home based exercise improved balance in the elderly demonstrating by increased scores of BBS, FAB and reach distance (FRT) after 4 weeks training, indicating improvement of balance and implied the reduction of risks of fall in the elderly. Implications: A minimal of 3 weeks training of video game based or a home based exercise especially lower limb muscles strengthening have potential to improve balance in elderly.