title: Balance Training with Wii Fit Plus for Community-Dwelling Persons 60 Years and Older.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to determine the effect of 6 weeks of training, using activities from the Nintendo(®) (Kyoto, Japan) "Wii™ Fit Plus" disc, on balance in community-dwelling Jamaicans 60 years and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single group pretest/posttest design was used. Thirty-three subjects enrolled and 28 completed the study. Participants completed 30-minute training sessions on the Nintendo "Wii Fit" twice per week for 6 weeks. Activities used included "Obstacle Course," "Penguin Slide," "Soccer Heading," "River Bubble," "Snow Board," "Tilt Table," "Skate Board," and "Yoga Single Tree Pose." Balance was assessed with the Berg Balance Scale, the Multi Directional Reach Test, the Star Excursion Balance Test and the Modified Clinical Test for Sensory Integration in Balance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant improvement in the mean Berg Balance Scale score (P=0.004), Star Excursion Balance Test score (SEBT) (P<0.001 both legs), and Multi Directional Reach Test score (P=0.002). There was no significant change on the Modified Clinical Test for Sensory Integration in Balance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Balance games on the Nintendo "Wii Fit Plus" disc can be used as a tool for balance training in community-dwelling persons 60 years of age and older.
authors.affiliation: Section of Physical Therapy The University of the West Indies , Kingston, Jamaica , West Indies.
authors.forename: Sharmella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roopchand-Martin
authors.affiliation: Section of Physical Therapy The University of the West Indies , Kingston, Jamaica , West Indies.
authors.forename: Roshé
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.affiliation: Section of Physical Therapy The University of the West Indies , Kingston, Jamaica , West Indies.
authors.forename: Carron
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: Section of Physical Therapy The University of the West Indies , Kingston, Jamaica , West Indies.
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007563:Jamaica; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D018910:Video Games