Thursday 25 August 2011

Effects of an Interactive Video Game (Nintendo Wii™) on Older Women with Mild Cognitive Impairment

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION JOURNAL Vol,. XLIV, No. 4 • 271-287 • 2010

Elizabeth H. Weybright, CTRS
John Dattilo
Frank R. Rusch

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Abstract
Older adults with a cognitive impairment in residential care settings are often found
to be inactive throughout the day. Participation in video games holds promise for these
individuals; however, effects of video games played by older adults have not been studied
consistently and the few studies conducted have yielded mixed results. The purpose of
this study was to examine effects of an interactive video game (Nintendo Wii'" bowling)
on attention to task and positive affect of older adult women with mild cognitive impairment. A single-subject, multiple baseline design comparing a television viewing phase
and an interactive video game phase was conducted using observational measures. Results
indicated that both participants attended to task more and demonstrated higher levels of
positive affect while engaged in the interactive video game as compared to baseline. The
low-impact activity of the Nintendo Wii" bowling program may provide the appropriate amount of physical and mental challenge and stimulation for older adults with mild
cognitive impairments.

KEYWORDS: Interactive video game, mild cognitive impairment, older adult,
recreation

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