Effectiveness of a Program Using Video Games Associated With Conventional Physiotherapy in Physical Functioning in Frail Elderly Compared to Conventional Physiotherapy

Frailty is a highly prevalent condition, reaching approximately 7% to 30% of older adults aged from 65 up to 80 years \[2\]. Although exercises seemed to be beneficial for the frail elders, there is still insufficient evidence to indicate the appropriate modality, frequency and intensity of physical exercises that were able to improve physical functioning in this population \[9\]. The virtual reality (VR) using interactive games (exergames) have generated broad scientific and clinical interest in recent years\[10\]. Studies indicate that older adults can benefit from training with exergames in improving mobility \[12, 13\], lower limb strength \[14\], cognition, particularly executive function \[13\], body balance \[10, 15-18\], reaction time \[12\] and may contribute indirectly to prevent falls \[10, 19, 20\]. But, there is still insufficient evidence to suggest that the use of exergames are superior even to other types of intervention \[21-23\] or in combination with conventional physiotherapy \[24\] The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of adding exercises using interactive videogames (exergames) in improving physical functioning on frail and pre frail older people when compared to conventional physiotherapy. A parallel randomized clinical with a 6 month follow-up period will be conducted with 82 frail community dwelling older adults. Participants randomized to the Experimental Group will be submitted to 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy and 20 minutes of therapy using interactive games Xbox 360 Video Game and Entertainment Microsoft System with Kinect sensor. The Control Group will receive 50 minutes of conventional physiotherapy. Both groups will receive 50 minutes of intervention twice a week for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes will be assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery, the Usual walking speed test and Four Step Square Test in the baseline, 3 and 6 months after that.