Benefits of exercise training with Nintendo[R] Wii for healthy elderly population: literature review/Beneficios do treinamento de exercicios com o Nintendo[R] Wii na populacao de idosos saudaveis: revisao de literatura

The present study aims to evaluate possible benefits of exercises performance by elderly population using Nintendo[R] Wii. The literature was reviewed through the indexed databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online' PubMed' SciELO' The Cochrane Library' and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Between 2010 and 2013 ten articles were selected: five articles methodologically classified as semi-experimental or interventional type and the other five as a randomized controlled trial. After literature review' we could identify six categories related to the outcomes investigated' which were static balance' dynamic balance' subjective measures of balance' functional capacity' muscle strength and motivation and/or fun. These results suggest that the Nintendo[R] Wii is a valuable tool for physical therapy practice, bringing potential benefits to the elderly population. Further research is needed to define a more appropriate protocol regarding games chosen, supervision, monitoring and that the duration and frequency of therapy would be more beneficial for these patients to better clinical applicability.