Can Play Increase Standing Tolerance? A Pilot-Study

Objectives. This pilot-study investigated whether game-playing could be used with a geriatric population to improve standing tolerance.Method. Ten subjects, aged 66 to 85, who were unable to maintain a functional standing position, which interfered with activities of daily living (ADL) and other purposeful activity, were timed during trials of static standing at a raised table. Trials involving play with a tabletop game were alternated with trials involving non-playful activities, such as reading, conversing, or folding towels.Results. A Wilcoxon signed-ranks test for relative magnitudes of differences of performance indicated that subjects' standing tolerance was significantly greater while playing than while involved in other activities. The hypothesis that game-playing is ineffective was rejected at a level of significance of 0.01.Conclusion. Play is a purposeful activity that can be used to improve standing tolerance in geriatric populations. Further study to explore the issues of this pilot-study is suggested.