EXercising with Computers in Later Life (EXCELL) - pilot and feasibility study of the acceptability of the Nintendo® WiiFit in community-dwelling fallers

Abstract

Background: Falls management programmes have been instituted to attempt to reduce falls. This pilot study was undertaken to determine whether the Nintendo® WiiFit was a feasible and acceptable intervention in community-dwelling older fallers.

Findings: Community-dwelling fallers over 70 years were recruited and attended for computer-based exercises (n = 15) or standard care (n = 6). Balance and fear of falling were assessed at weeks 0, 4 and 12. Participants were interviewed on completion of the study to determine whether the intervention was acceptable.Eighty percent of participants attended 75% or more of the exercise sessions. An improvement in Berg Score was seen at four weeks (p = 0.02) and in Wii Age at 12 weeks (p = 0.03) in the intervention group. There was no improvement in balance scores in the standard care group.

Conclusion: WiiFit exercise is acceptable in self-referred older people with a history of falls. The WiiFit has the potential to improve balance but further work is required.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT01082042.

Figures

Figure 1

Baseline Characteristics

Figure 2

Follow up of trial participants a = due to knee pain b = 2 participants did not attend for 4 week assessment but attended subsequent visits c = due to death of spouse (NB this participant did not attend for 4 week assessment) d = admitted to hospital e = 2 participants did not attend for 4 week assessment but attended subsequent visits f = admitted to hospital

Figure 3

Berg, Tinetti and FES-I scores at baseline, 4 weeks and 12 weeks