title: A Preliminary Study on the Effectiveness of Exergame Nintendo "Wii Fit Plus" on the Balance of Nursing Home Residents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the effect of playing Nintendo(®) "Wii Fit™ Plus" (Nintendo of America, Inc., Redmond, WA) on body balance and physical activity of nursing home residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a nonrandomized controlled trial within a nursing home, two intervention groups (both n=8) were exposed to the same treatment and compared with a control group (n=13). Intervention Group 1 consisted of elderly individuals with regular Nintendo "Wii Fit" experience for at least 1 year. Elderly persons who were novices to the Nintendo "Wii Fit (Plus)" participated in intervention Group 2. Control participants had no experience with the Nintendo "Wii Fit (Plus)" and did not participate in the Nintendo "Wii Fit Plus" sessions. Outcome measurements were taken at baseline and after the intervention, using the Berg Balance Scale and the LASA Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants of both intervention groups played the Nintendo "Wii Fit Plus" for 10 minutes twice a week during 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although balance improved for all three groups, there was no effect of playing "Wii Fit Plus" (P=0.89). On physical activity, the intervention did have a positive effect (P=0.005); physical activity levels increased with a median of 54.3 (interquartile range, 63.1) minutes/day for intervention Group 1 and a median of 60.7 (interquartile range, 56.8) minutes/day for intervention Group 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed an effect of Nintendo "Wii Fit Plus" gaming on physical activity of nursing home residents, but not on their balance. The effect of physical activity should be consolidated in a randomized controlled trial in a broader population.
authors.affiliation: 1 CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University , Maastricht, The Netherlands .
authors.forename: Sacha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of General Practice, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University Medical Centre , Maastricht, The Netherlands .
authors.forename: Huibert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tange
authors.affiliation: 3 Vivre Care Group for Elderly Care, Maastricht University , Maastricht, The Netherlands .
authors.forename: Rachele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arends