Physical therapists use many different types of interventions to treat elderly adults with an increased risk of falling. Typically, they will do so by creating a regimen that uses various exercises. However, a recent case study tested a new and exciting way to improve balance.
It investigated the effect a Nintendo Wii bowling simulation had on the balance of a resident at a nursing home. The resident was an 89 year old woman with a history of falling and was recently diagnosed with an unknown balance disorder. The subject performed six, one hour bowling sessions over a two week period.
After two weeks, the intervention helped to decrease the subject’s risk of falling and her balance. Even though this approach to improving balance seems very unusual, the use of new technology not geared towards balance, such as the Nintendo Wii, might be the future for improving people’s balance and decreasing their risk of falling.
"Tips to Avoid Falls When in the Hospital." Partners.org. Partners Healthcare.2011. www.partners.org/cird/FallsPrevention/pdfs/AVOIDING_FALLS.pdf
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