title: The feasibility of an intervention combining self-efficacy theory and Wii Fit exergames in assisted living residents: A pilot study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a self-efficacy based intervention using Wii exergames in assisted living residents. The study was a single-group pre- and post-test design. Seven older adults (aged 80-94 years) were instructed to engage in exergames twice a week for 8 weeks. Physical function (balance, mobility, and walking distance), fear of falling, self-efficacy for exercise, and outcome expectations for exercise were evaluated. All participants had enjoyable experiences and no serious adverse events were reported. Participants had significant improvement on balance. Although not significant, there were trends indicating that participants improved mobility, walking endurance, and decreased fear of falling. The use of Wii exergames was an acceptable, safe, and potentially effective approach to promote physical activity in older adults. Findings provide support for the applications of integrating self-efficacy theory into exergames as a mechanism to encourage older adults to engage in exercise.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 301 Wende Hall, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214-3079, USA. Electronic address: ychao3@buffalo.edu.
authors.forename: Ying-Yu
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Yvonne K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Scherer
authors.forename: Yow-Wu
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Kathleen T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Lucke
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Montgomery
mesh_terms: D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020377:Self Efficacy
keywords: Assisted living residents; Exercise; Exergames; Physical activity; Self-efficacy theory