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

Mobility Limitation Clinical Trial

Official title:

Full Title Interactive Computer Game Exercise Regime, Effects on Balance Impairment in Frail Community-Dwelling Older Adults. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01381237
• Other study ID #: H2007-047
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• First received: June 20, 2011
• Last updated: June 22, 2011
• Start date: August 2007
• Est. completion date: August 2008

Study information

• Verified date: March 2007
• Source: University of Manitoba
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Canada: Ethics Review Committee
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial 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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 30
• Est. completion date: August 2008
• Est. primary completion date: August 2008
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 65 Years to 85 Years

Eligibility

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.

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Mobility Limitation

Intervention

Behavioral:
• game-based balance exercises
16 sessions, scheduled two per week, each lasting 45 minutes.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	Riverview Health Centre	Winnipeg	Manitoba

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Manitoba

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Standing Balance	timed performance and ordinal scales	5 weeks	No
Secondary	Gait speed		5 weeks	No
Secondary	Spatial-temporal gait variables	distance and time	5 weeks	No