Effects of Game-based Balance Exercise for Older Adults With Fall History

NCT ID: NCT01381237

Last Updated: 2011-06-27

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2007-08-31
• Study Completion Date: 2008-08-31

Brief Summary

Due to the many problems associated with reduced balance and mobility, providing an effective and engaging rehabilitation regimen is essential to progress recovery from impairments and to help prevent further degradation of motor skills. The purpose was to examine effects of physical therapy based on the task-oriented approach delivered in an engaging, interactive video game paradigm. The intervention focused on performing targeted dynamic tasks, which included reactive balance controls and environmental interaction. Thirty community dwelling and ambulatory older adults attending the Day hospital for balance and mobility limitation treatment participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or experimental group. The control group received the typical rehabilitation program provided at the Day Hospital, consisting of strengthening and balance exercises. The experimental group received a program of dynamic balance exercises coupled to video game play, using a centre of pressure (COP) position signal as the computer mouse. The tasks were performed while standing on a fixed floor surface with progression to a compliant sponge pad. Each group received 16 sessions, scheduled two per week, each lasting 45 minutes. Balance performance measures and spatial-temporal gait variables were obtained pre- and post-treatment Findings demonstrated significant improvements for both groups in balance performance scores post-treatment, and change scores were significantly greater in the experimental compared to control group. No significant treatment effect was observed in either group for the spatial-temporal gait variables. In conclusion dynamic balance exercises on fixed and compliant sponge surfaces were feasibly coupled to interactive game-based exercise. This in turn resulted in a greater improvement in dynamic standing balance control compared to the typical exercise program. However there was no transfer of effect to gait function.

Key Words: Balance, Postural; Rehabilitation; Therapy, computer-assisted; Video Games; Center of Pressure.

Conditions

Mobility Limitation

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Interventions

game-based balance exercises

16 sessions, scheduled two per week, each lasting 45 minutes.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• age: 65-85 years
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score > 24
• English-speaking with the ability to understand the nature of the study and provide informed consent
• independent in ambulatory functions, with or without an assistive device (cane or walker).

Exclusion Criteria

• any medical condition or disability that prevented participation in an exercise program.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 85 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Manitoba

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Dept. of Physical Therapy, University of Manitoba

Principal Investigators

Tony Szturm, BSc(PT), PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Manitoba

Locations

Riverview Health Centre

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Countries

Canada

References

Szturm T, Betker AL, Moussavi Z, Desai A, Goodman V. Effects of an interactive computer game exercise regimen on balance impairment in frail community-dwelling older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Phys Ther. 2011 Oct;91(10):1449-62. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20090205. Epub 2011 Jul 28.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 21799138 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

H2007-047

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id