The effect of a VR exercise program on falls and depression in the elderly with mild depression in the local community.
Jong-Eun Yang, Tac-Young Lee, Jin-Kyung Kim
PMID 29643594WHAT IT FOUND
In 15 older adults with mild depression, 12 weeks of Wii-Fit balance games was linked with better front-to-back balance, more confidence about not falling, and lower depression and stress scores.
Key findings
01After 12 weeks of Wii-Fit balance games, front-to-back static balance improved from 10.16 to 8.42 points with eyes open.
02Confidence about falling improved, with one fall-confidence score rising from 66.46 to 68.80 points.
03Depression and internal stress scores fell after the program, with a depression score moving from 16.27 to 8.00 points.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 15 participants were studied, and all were compared with themselves before and after the program. The participants had to walk 10 m without an aid and have MMSE-K scores above 24, so the results may not apply to frailer older adults or those with more severe depression or cognitive impairment. The study measured balance scores and confidence about falls, not actual falls. Participants chose 3 of 4 activities, so the exact dose varied between people. The analysis was a before-and-after comparison in the same participants, not a comparison against another group.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this program prevents falls or treats depression. It was a before-and-after study in 15 participants, and the outcomes were balance scores, fall-confidence scores, and depression scores, not actual falls or a controlled depression treatment.