TITLE:
Nintendo® Wii™ and a Physical Activity Routine: Effective Therapeutic Interventions in the Older Adult Population?
AUTHORS:
Elizabeth A. Fain, Brenda Kennell
KEYWORDS:
Nintendo™ Wii, Physical Activity, Functional Skills, Activities of Daily Living
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.4 No.8,
July
3,
2014
ABSTRACT: Occupational
therapists work with individuals across the lifespan to promote health and
wellness. “Occupational therapy promotes health and wellbeing through active
involvement in meaningful occupations. By helping clients eliminate barriers,
enhance their self-management skills, improve their performance of daily
activities and adopt healthy habits and routines, occupational therapy unlocks
the door to participation across the lifespan” (AOTA, 2010). In today’s world,
health and wellness-related services are in demand for those aged 65 and older.
As life expectancy rates continue to rise, there is an increase in concern for
the field of occupational therapy to find a successful and efficient way to
meet the needs of the growing number of older adults (National Center for
Health Statistics, 2006). The idea that physical activity can be a beneficial
occupation in the elderly has been examined and proved effective as a means of
enhancing the quality of life in this population. “Although functional
impairments due to the aging process seem to be inevitable, functional
limitations due to an inactive lifestyle might be reversed. Indeed, it has been
suggested that physically active lifestyles may contribute to improving or
maintaining health and wellness” (Fletcher, Gulanick, & Braun, 2005). The
purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two different physical
activity programs on individuals aged 65 and older. The variables that were
examined were functional skills (activities of daily living), balance skills,
and overall upper extremity function. This study looked at two forms of
physical activity to determine their individual effects on functional skills,
balance, and overall upper extremity function in this population. The two physical
activity interventions were the Nintendo™ Wii gaming system and a videotaped
exercise routine.