'Wii-habilitation' for elderly

'Wii-habilitation' for elderly


The University of Aberdeen, Scotland and the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) has begun a study of more than 70 people to see if regular use of the Wii Fit can improve their balance. -- ST PHOTO: DOMINIC WONG

RESEARCHERS in England are studying whether or not the Wii Fit can help improve the balance for older people.

According to a report at CNN.com, the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) has begun a study of more than 70 people to see if regular use of the Wii Fit can improve their balance.

The video game relies on players using physical action to play a variety of sports-based games including virtual golf, tennis and bowling.

A balance board that records movements is included.

'Falls are the most common cause of accidental injury in older people and the most common cause of accidental deaths in 75-year-olds and over,' said Dr Marie Fraser, a specialist registrar at Woodend Hospital in Scotland, UK, who is carrying out the research.

The creator of the study, Dr Alison Stewart, came up with the idea for the study while working in the Osteoporosis department at the University of Aberdeen, after seeing a large number of fractures in old people who had fallen.

'There exists a medical fitness device that improves balance, but it is expensive and I could not get the funding,' she said. 'That's when I looked up the Wii and discovered it is very similar to the other equipment, but less expensive.

'What is great about the Wii is it also has an entertainment value. The fact that it is enjoyable also makes the compliance rate higher.'

There is currently another study using the Wii Fit to look at helping Parkinson's sufferers at Southern Cross University, Australia.

According to Associate Professor Rick van der Zwan who led the research, initial results were 'positive'. -- CNN


Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Tech%2Band%2BScience/Story/STIStory_337611.html