Effects of Training in a Virtual Environment in Healthy Elderly
- Conditions
- Elderly
- Interventions
- Device: Virtual Reality TrainingOther: Physical Therapy
- Registration Number
- NCT01741402
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Sao Paulo General Hospital
- Brief Summary
The objective of this work was to compare the effects of two balance training programs, one Nintendo Wii Fit-based and the other traditionally-based without the use of a gaming system, on the (1) balance, (2) gait, (3) functionality and (4) cognition ability in older adults. It is a prospective, single blinded, randomized clinical trial performed at Center of Research of the courses of Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy of São Paulo University. Thirty-two older adults are randomly in control and experimental group, 16 each one. The study includes only participants scoring at least 24 in the Mini-Mental State Examination to rule out effects of dementia; without the presence of depression, according to the Geriatric Depression Scale of Yesaváge - version 15 (GDS-15 ≤ 5) and scores on the Berg Balance Scale (EBB ≥ 41).
- Detailed Description
The objective of this work is to compare the effects of two balance training programs, one Nintendo Wii Fit-based and the other traditionally-based without the use of a gaming system, on balance, gait, functionality and cognition ability in older adults. It is a prospective, single blinded, randomized clinical trial performed at Center of Research of the courses of Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy of São Paulo University. Thirty-two older adults are randomly in control and experimental group, 16 each one. Both groups performed 14 training sessions, twice a week, for seven weeks. Each session is composed of a 30 minute-global-exercise series including stretching, muscle strength and axial mobility exercises. After this, both groups performed more 30 minutes of balance training: the control group performed balance exercises without external cues, visual or auditory feedbacks or cognitive stimulations; the experimental group performed the balance training with 10 Wii Fit games which stimulated motor and cognitive functions. The main outcome measures are: (1) Mini-BESTest of Dynamic Balance Evaluation; (2) Dynamic Gait Index (DGI); (3) Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); and (4) Falls Efficacy Scale - International (FES-I).
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 32
- Age 60 to 85 years.
- Absence of other neurological disorders or co-morbidities that may affect gait;
- Absence of dementia (score above 24 on the Mini Mental State Examination - MMSE);
- Absence of depression (score above 5 on the Geriatric Depression Scale of Yesaváge - version 15);
- Score on the Berg Balance Scale above 41;
- Vision and hearing adequate or corrected to normal;
- Ability to walk independently;
- Biomechanical alterations (other pathologies) that could compromise the completion of training;
- Presence of any neurological, auditory or visual deficit that could compromise distracting task performance during balance and gait training;
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Virtual Reality Training Virtual Reality Training The virtual reality training was done by experimental group with ten games of Nintendo Wii Fit. Physical Therapy Physical Therapy The Control Group was trained by conventional Physical Therapy exercises.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Mini-BESTest of Dynamic Balance Evaluation - Balance Evaluation Systems Test Up to 3 months The Mini-BESTest test is a 14-item test that focuses on dynamic balance, specifically anticipatory transitions, postural responses, sensory orientation and dynamic gait.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Falls Efficacy Scale - International Up to 3 months The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I)measures the level of concern about falling during social and physical activities inside and outside the home whether or not the person actually does the activity.
Dynamic Gait Index Up to 3 months The scale assesses the ability to adapt the gait during motor tasks with different demands.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment Up to 3 months This scale was developed in order to detect mild degrees of cognitive impairment. The instrument assesses different cognitive domains such as attention and concentration, executive functions, memory, language, visuo-constructive skills, calculations, and orientation.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Center of Research of the courses of Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy of São Paulo University
🇧🇷São Paulo, Brazil