Effects of a Balance and Muscle Strengthening Exercise Program Using the Nintendo RingFit in Community-dwelling Older Adults With a History of Falls - a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Accidental Falls
- Sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Enrollment
- 43
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Adherence
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 2 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
Background Existing findings have suggested that exergaming (i.e., exercise that requires people to move their body to play, providing an active gaming experience while serving as a form of physical activity), may have a potential to improve muscle strength and balance in older adults. However, no study has been conducted to investigate the effects of the Nintendo RingFit - an action role-playing game that aims to provide exercise training using a ring-shaped force sensor - in improving muscle strength and balance and possibly reducing falls in older adults living in the community.
Objective This study aims to investigate the feasibility of an exercise training program using Nintendo RingFit to improve balance and muscle strength among community-dwelling older adults.
Design A single-blind, randomized controlled feasibility trial.
Methods 30 participants will be recruited at local community-based elderly centers. Participants will be randomized to either the Nintendo RingFit-based exercise training group (NRE) or control group (CON) group with an allocation ratio of 1:1 by a researcher who will not participate in the recruitment and outcome evaluation. The NRE group will received an 8-week exercise training focusing on balance and lower limb muscle strength using the Nintendo RingFit. The CON group will receive a booklet and verbal instructions on the exercise for falls prevention, will be invited to join a leisure activity program (e.g., singing group) without any active exercise component for 8 weeks.
Outcomes The feasibility, acceptability and safety of the program will be examined at the end of the intervention. Postural balance, lower extremity strength, mobility, attention and executive function, fear of falling, and falls incidence of the participants will be assessed at 8 weeks.
Statistical analyses Descriptive statistics were presented for all variables. Chi-Square Test will be used to compare the difference in the proportion of fallers between the NRE and CON groups. Mann-Whitney U Test will be used to compare the functional outcomes between the 2 groups.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •were 60 years old or above;
- •had at least one fall in the past year;
- •were able to walk independently without a walking aid for at least 10 meters;
- •had no previous experience of using the Nintendo RingFit.
Exclusion Criteria
- •had a severe musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary or neurological condition that limited their participation in the exercise program or assessment;
- •had a significant visual or hearing impairment that limited their ability to follow exercise instructions;
- •scored 18 or below in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Hong Kong version (HK-MoCA) 4; or
- •participated in any structured exercise program in the past 6 months.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Adherence
Time Frame: Throughout the 8-week exercise program
The attendance and retention of the participants in the trial
Adverse events
Time Frame: Throughout the 8-week exercise program
The number of adverse events as a result of the exercise program
Acceptability
Time Frame: At 8-week post-intervention
The acceptability of the participants toward the exercise program
Secondary Outcomes
- Five-time-sit-to-stand test(Week 0 (baseline) and week 8 (post-assessment))
- Timed-Up and Go test - single and dual tasks(Week 0 (baseline) and week 8 (post-assessment))
- Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale(Week 0 (baseline) and week 8 (post-assessment))
- Color Trails Test(Week 0 (baseline) and week 8 (post-assessment))
- Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test(Week 0 (baseline) and week 8 (post-assessment))