Wii-Fit for Improving Gait and Balance in an Assisted Living Facility : A Pilot Study

Abstract EN

Objectives.

To determine the effects on balance and gait of a Wii-Fit program compared to a walking program in subjects with mild Alzheimer’s dementia (AD).

Methods.

A prospective randomized (1 : 1) pilot study with two intervention arms was conducted in an assisted living facility with twenty-two mild AD subjects.

In both groups the intervention occurred under supervision for 30 minutes daily, five times a week for eight weeks.

Repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-tests were used to analyze changes.

Results.

Both groups showed improvement in Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti Test (TT) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) over 8 weeks.

However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups over time.

Intragroup analysis in the Wii-Fit group showed significant improvement on BBS (P=0.003), and TT (P=0.013).

The walking group showed a trend towards improvement on BBS (P=0.06) and TUG (P=0.07) and significant improvement in TT (P=0.006).

Conclusion.

This pilot study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of Wii-Fit in an assisted living facility in subjects with mild AD.

Use of Wii-Fit resulted in significant improvements in balance and gait comparable to those in the robust monitored walking program.

These results need to be confirmed in a larger, methodologically sound study.