The Benefits of Nintendo Wii on Older Adults

If you had asked me ten years ago what I thought of adults playing video games, I would have responded with, "not in this lifetime." At that time, it was normal to see kids sitting in front of their televisions with handheld controllers maneuvering various characters through levels of varying degrees of difficulty.

In the fall of 2006, Nintendo introduced the Wii. Unlike gaming systems before it, the Wii had a wireless controller that could detect movement, two notable features that, at the time, was not available on any other gaming console. Nintendo's intent with the Wii was to change that way we play video games, as well as introducing video games to a wider audience. 

While still a student, we often had discussions about who would benefit from the Wii, who was more likely to play, and whether or not the older generation would catch on. Fast forward a few years later. I find myself working at a retirement community that utilizes the gaming system with their residents. The first time I had to facilitate the program, I was curious to see how they would do and who exactly would be participating. 

When the program began, i noticed that there was a good mix of people who had played before and would never dare miss the program, and those who had never touched a video game, but were curious to see what it was all about. The game we played for the afternoon was Wii Bowling. Interestingly, all the participants were former bowlers at one point or another, either competitively or internationally. The game accurately mimicked the movements of a person bowling to the extent that the residents who had bowled before were able to easily and quickly learn the game and how to use the controller. 

Over time, the benefits of participating in the program were clear. Residents were becoming more social with one another, often calling each other in advance to ensure their friends were coming, confidence increased as their skill level improved, and their tolerance level for activities was increasing as they wanted to play for longer and longer. 

So why exactly has the Nintendo Wii been so successful in attracting new gamers in the adult population? Interactive video games render standard video games more accessible. Participants are able to customize characters that look like them, dress like them, and the can even name them. In addition, by allowing the controller to be wireless, the participant is able to freely move about without the fear of getting tangled in the equipment. The detection of movement in the controller is an undeniable benefit, allowing the participant to directly control the video game by having the game directly mirror their movements. The participant is able to immediately see the results and consequences of how their movement affects the game. 

Elizabeth H. Weybright et al's study stated that video games have been associated with improved attention and reaction time, improvements in knowledge acquisition and retention, and significant increases in positive emotions. Video games use skill selection and cumulative levels, paired with visual graphics to increase engagement, attention and concentration. The results for the participant finishing a level or reaching a milestone goal is the feeling of achievement (Weybright, Dattilo & Rusch, 2010).

The Nintendo Wii, specifically the bowling game, offers participants both physical and cognitive stimulation that could greatly benefit the older adult population. They have made the gaming system user-friendly by eliminating multiple buttons and simplifying the controller. Physically, the game requires the use of the upper extremities, lower extremities (if standing), core stability, balance, and both gross and find motor control. Cognitively, participants must be able to attend to a task, follow directions, coordinate hand/eye movement, and be able to remember sequences, as a sequence of buttons need to be pushed on the controller to start, continue, or play the game (Weybright et al., 2010). Gaming systems have changed quickly within the last few years, and unbeknownst to me, it was only a matter of time before technology became appealing to the masses, including the older generation. 

By: Anna Luu, Recreational Therapist Expert at AgeComfort.org Health Care Resource Centre

References

Weybright, E., Dattilo, J., & Rusch, F. (2010). Effects of an interactive video game (nintendo wii) on older women with mild cognitive impairment. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 64(4), 271-287.

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