The Effectiveness of Nintendo Wii Fit and Inspiratory Muscle Training in Older Patients With Heart Failure

Heart failure is a multisystem syndrome characterized by the body\'s inability to pump or increase the filling pressures required for pumping the blood needed. Typically it shows objective evidence of dyspnea and fatigue during rest or exercise, or swelling of the ankles and cardiac dysfunction. This leads to great loss of functional status and quality of life. These patients seem to be more difficult to participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs due to their more comorbid, fragile and low functional capacity. It has been shown that inspiratory muscle training, which is a part of cardiac rehabilitation, not only improves lung problems but also increases functional capacity and balance, strength of respiratory and peripheral muscles, and decreases perception of depression and dyspnea in patients. Video games are increasingly being used as an alternative to traditional rehabilitation-based exercises to improve daily activity levels and increase physical fitness in the elderly because of their recreational and motivational effects. Although Nintendo wii fit gives similar results with traditional rehabilitation practices, it causes less energy costs. This suggests that it can be a suitable rehabilitation tool for elderly people with low energy levels. A review showed that video games are safe and feasible in the elderly with heart failure. Participants\' balance, cognitive functions, quality of life improved and depressive mood decreased. Video games also make older people to communicate better with other family members. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of inspiratory muscle training and nintendo wii fit exercise training in elderly patients with heart failure and to compare these practices with each other.