Over 70s are being sought to take part in a study of balance that will use the latest games technology.
NHS Grampian and Aberdeen University want to determine if the Nintendo Wii Fit can help the balance of older people who are prone to falling.
The study funded by the British Geriatrics Society will use gentle exercises to see if they have an impact on their balance.
Volunteers aged 70, who have fallen at least once in the last year, need to be able to attend twice weekly Wii Fit sessions over a twelve-week period at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen.
Dr Marie Fraser, Specialist Registrar at Woodend Hospital, said in a statement: "Falls are the most common cause of accidental injury in older people and the most common cause of accidental death in 75-year olds and over.
"The over 65s who live independently in the community fall at a rate of 30% a year, and this rises as they get older. Six per cent of falls result in a broken bone including potentially fatal injuries such as fractured hips.
"Falls cause real problems both for the individual and for our population as a whole. As well as causing injury, they can lead to loss of confidence, a fear of falling, reduced quality of life and even early death. They also have a healthcare cost."
She added: "There is already a falls group at Woodend Hospital that offers advice and group exercise to those who have had a fall.
"However, NHS Grampian's department of medicine for the elderly is working closely with colleagues at the University of Aberdeen to explore and develop innovative approaches to improving balance. We are evaluating the efficacy of computer-assisted exercise programmes to see if these are suitable and acceptable to the elderly population."
Volunteers will undergo an initial assessment by a physiotherapist and then be helped by two students from the university.
The students' supervisor, Dr Alison Jenkinson, said: "Participants will be trained by our students in the gentle moves that are required during their sessions on the balance board. The pair will also be on hand to help immediately if any of our volunteers feel unsteady."
The idea of using Wii Fit and its balance board came from Dr Alison Stewart, commercial research manager with NHS Grampian.
She said: "When I was working in the University of Aberdeen's osteoporosis unit, my main aim was to prevent fractures. A total of 90% of hip fractures are due to falls.
"As many older people have a problem with their balance, I wanted to investigate balance and initially I proposed using a piece of equipment that cost several thousand pounds. When no grants were forthcoming to pay for this equipment, I heard that the Wii Fit balance board might do exactly the same thing.
"I'm hoping this will be the case and that it will also provide our volunteers with the added value of being entertained at the same time."
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