Using motion-based technology to impact balance and cognition among people with dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment.
Volunteer and older adult participants engage in bowling game using XBox Kinect software
Who and What?
Exercise can impact balance and cognition among people with dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Motion-based technology such as video games played through movement can increase exercise frequency and adherence among older adults. However, the impacts of motion-based interventions on balance and cognition among people with dementia and MCI are not well studied. This study aimed to examine the impacts of a group motion-based technology intervention on balance and cognition among people with dementia and MCI.
How?
Participants with dementia and MCI were recruited from community-based adult day programs to participate in a 10-week Xbox Kinect bowling intervention. Participants completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BEST) before starting the program and at the completion of the program. These two tests were used to measure cognition and balance, respectively.
Findings
Prior to participating in the program, participants demonstrated considerable impairments on measures of balance (Mini-BEST) and cognition (MoCA). There was no significant decline in balance or cognition among the participants who completed the study. This particular finding implies that the intervention may have some potential effect to maintain cognitive & balancing abilities. Indeed, half of the participants who completed the study either maintained or improved their scores on both measures.
Importance
This study highlights the need for physical rehabilitation and/or exercise programs for people with dementia and MCI that target balance, a key risk factor for falling, and also take account of participants’ cognitive impairments.