REVIEW PAPER
The effect of Wii Fit exergames on balance in the elderly: a scoping review
1
Department of Physiotherapy, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Surakarta, Indonesia
Submission date: 2024-04-23
Acceptance date: 2024-08-30
Publication date: 2025-09-11
Corresponding author
Farid Rahman
Department of Physiotherapy, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Surakarta City, Jl. A. Yani, Mendungan, Pabelan, Central Java
Department of Physiotherapy, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Surakarta City, Jl. A. Yani, Mendungan, Pabelan, Central Java
Physiother Quart. 2025;33(3):34-41
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The elderly are increasingly embracing exercise through video or virtual reality games, such as sports games on platforms like Wii Fit. Additional proof about the specific dosage and types of Wii Fit games that might effectively enhance balance in older individuals is required. This scoping study investigated the efficacy of Wii Fit in improving body balance in older adults, including static and dynamic balance.
Methods:
The study used PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review guidelines, conducting systematic searches across ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar from January 2011 to August 2023. The quality assessment employed various tools tailored to study types, including the Joanna Briggs Institute, Case Report Guidelines, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Data synthesis was facilitated by the TIDIer checklist, encompassing extraction of population, intervention, and outcome measures from 21 articles.
Results:
Of the 1,170,131 studies found in the databases, 258 were selected after reviewing the titles and abstracts, and 21 articles were included in the study after examining the full text. The reviewed articles showed that, although there were variations in the Wii Fit balance exercise programme, regular and structured administration of Wii Fit significantly affected balance.
Conclusions:
The study suggests that incorporating Wii Fit into elderly fitness routines can notably enhance balance and potentially lower fall risk.
The elderly are increasingly embracing exercise through video or virtual reality games, such as sports games on platforms like Wii Fit. Additional proof about the specific dosage and types of Wii Fit games that might effectively enhance balance in older individuals is required. This scoping study investigated the efficacy of Wii Fit in improving body balance in older adults, including static and dynamic balance.
Methods:
The study used PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review guidelines, conducting systematic searches across ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar from January 2011 to August 2023. The quality assessment employed various tools tailored to study types, including the Joanna Briggs Institute, Case Report Guidelines, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Data synthesis was facilitated by the TIDIer checklist, encompassing extraction of population, intervention, and outcome measures from 21 articles.
Results:
Of the 1,170,131 studies found in the databases, 258 were selected after reviewing the titles and abstracts, and 21 articles were included in the study after examining the full text. The reviewed articles showed that, although there were variations in the Wii Fit balance exercise programme, regular and structured administration of Wii Fit significantly affected balance.
Conclusions:
The study suggests that incorporating Wii Fit into elderly fitness routines can notably enhance balance and potentially lower fall risk.
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