title: Efficacy of Wii-Fit on Static and Dynamic Balance in Community Dwelling Older Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.
abstract: Background/Objectives. Balance problems are well-established modifiable risk factors for falls, which are common in older adults. The objective of this study was to establish the efficacy of a Wii-Fit interactive video-game-led physical exercise program to improve balance in older Veterans.Methods. A prospective randomized controlled parallel-group trial was conducted at Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Thirty community dwelling Veterans aged 68 (±6.7) years were randomized to either the exercise or control groups. The exercise group performed Wii-Fit program while the control group performed a computer-based cognitive program for 45 minutes, three days per week for 8-weeks. The primary (Berg Balance Scale (BBS)) and secondary outcomes (fear of falling, physical activity enjoyment, and quality of life) were measured at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.Results. Of 30 randomized subjects, 27 completed all aspects of the study protocol. There were no study-related adverse events. Intent-to-treat analysis showed a significantly greater improvement in BBS in the exercise group (6.0; 95% CI, 5.1-6.9) compared to the control group (0.5; 95% CI, -0.3-1.3) at 8 weeks (average intergroup difference (95% CI), 5.5 (4.3-6.7),p< 0.001) after adjusting for baseline.Conclusion. This study establishes that the Wii-Fit exercise program is efficacious in improving balance in community dwelling older Veterans. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02190045.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Kalpana P
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6021-0593
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Padala
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Prasad R
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1921-9806
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Padala
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Shelly Y
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6231-9362
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lensing
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9038-4666
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Melinda M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3942-6856
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bopp
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7598-5671
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Parkes
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Mark K
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3012-1180
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Garrison
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Dubbert
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Paula K
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6940-3970
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Roberson
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Dennis H
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6716-2774
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Sullivan