Exergaming delivery of a balance and fall prevention program for older adults: A feasibility study.

Objective: Older adults are at high risk of falls and this problem calls for efficient and scalable interventions. This study investigated whether a motion capture system paired with balance training exergaming software is a feasible strategy to deliver therapeutic exercise to older adults in an aged care facility. Methods: This study analyzed data from a quality improvement rehabilitation initiative. Two convenience samples of older adults were included: a usual care group (n = 12), admitted to a rehabilitation hospital and receiving standard in-patient therapy 5×/week and the Evolv group (n = 12), admitted to an aged care facility, prescribed exergaming 3×/week. All participants performed 30-minute exercise sessions based on a fall prevention program over 3 months. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment test were administered pre- and post-treatment. Results: No adverse events were recorded during the interventions. Mean SPPB increase for Evolv participants was 2.25 ± 1.35 (p < .001, CI for mean = 1.39 to 3.11, d = 1.66), compared with a non-significant change in the usual care group (mean increase = 2.25 ± 3.82, p = .066, CI for mean = -0.18 to 4.68, d = 0.59). Tinetti improvement was significant for the individuals receiving usual care (3.83 ± 2.82, p = .012, CI for mean = 1.01 to 6.66, d = 0.86) but there were no significant between-group differences in outcomes. Conclusions: Exergaming with the Evolv system for balance and strength training may be a feasible strategy to improve physical function for older adults recovering in an aged care facility.

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of health professionals in relation to A/H1N1 influenza and its vaccine.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the intention of health professionals, doctors and nurses, concerning whether or not to be vaccinated against A/H1N1 influenza virus, and their perception of the severity of this pandemic compared with seasonal flu. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on an questionnaire e-mailed to health professionals in public healthcare centres in Vitoria between 6 and 16 November 2009; the percentage of respondents who wanted to be vaccinated and who perceived the pandemic flu to carry a high risk of death were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 115 people completed the questionnaire of whom 61.7% (n=71) were doctors and 38.3% (n=44) were nurses. Of these, 33.3% (n=23) of doctors and 13.6% (n=6) of nurses intended to be vaccinated (p=0.019). Even among those who considered themselves to be at a high risk, 70.6% (n=48) of doctors and 31.7% (n=13) of nurses participating in the study (p=0.001) planned to have the vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Most health professionals, and in particular nurses, had no intention to be vaccinated against A/H1N1 influenza virus at the beginning of the vaccination campaign.