%0 Journal Article
%T Novel use of the Wii Balance Board to prospectively predict falls in community-dwelling older adults
%J Clinical biomechanics
%D 2015
%A Kwok, Boon-Chong
%A Clark, Ross A.
%A Pua, Yong-Hao
%V 30
%N 5
%P 481-484
%X BACKGROUND: The Wii Balance Board has received increasing attention as a balance measurement tool; however its ability to prospectively predict falls is unknown. This exploratory study investigated the use of the Wii Balance Board and other clinical-based measures for prospectively predicting falls among community-dwelling older adults. <br><br>METHODS: Seventy-three community-dwelling men and women, aged 60-85years were followed-up over a year for falls. Standing balance was indexed by sway velocities measured using the Wii Balance Board interfaced with a laptop. Clinical-based measures included Short Physical Performance Battery, gait speed and Timed-Up-and-Go test. Multivariable regression analyses were used to assess the ability of the Wii Balance Board measure to complement the TUG test in fall screening. <br><br>FINDINGS: Individually, the study found Wii Balance Board anteroposterior (odds ratio 1.98, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.40, P=0.01) and mediolateral (odds ratio 2.80, 95% CI 1.10 to 7.13, p=0.03) sway velocity measures predictive of prospective falls. However, when each velocity measure was adjusted with body mass index and Timed-Up-and-Go, only anteroposterior sway velocity was predictive of prospective falls (odds ratio 2.21, 95% CI 1.18 to 4.14). A faster anteroposterior velocity was associated with increased odds of falling. Area-under-the-curves for Wii Balance Board sway velocities were 0.67 and 0.71 for anteroposterior and mediolateral respectively. <br><br>INTERPRETATION: The Wii Balance Board-derived anteroposterior sway velocity measure could complement existing clinical-based measures in predicting future falls among community-dwelling older adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number: ACTRN12610001099011.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 0268-0033
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.03.006