Effects of Training in a Virtual Environment on the Performance of Gait, Postural Control and Executive Functions in Healthy Elderly
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 32
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Mini-BESTest of Dynamic Balance Evaluation - Balance Evaluation Systems Test
Study Overview
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).
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 60 Years to 85 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •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;
Exclusion Criteria
- •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;
Arms & Interventions
Virtual Reality Training
The virtual reality training was done by experimental group with ten games of Nintendo Wii Fit.
Intervention: Virtual Reality Training (Device)
Physical Therapy
The Control Group was trained by conventional Physical Therapy exercises.
Intervention: Physical Therapy (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Mini-BESTest of Dynamic Balance Evaluation - Balance Evaluation Systems Test
Time Frame: 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 Outcomes
- Falls Efficacy Scale - International(Up to 3 months)
- Dynamic Gait Index(Up to 3 months)
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment(Up to 3 months)