Lead researcher Dr Ross Clark of the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne revealed that the centre of pressure (COP) an important parameter of standing balance. Unfortunately, there is no inexpensive way to accurately measure this parameter so as to assess the risk of falling in the elderly as well as patients with neurological disorders.

Currently used tools to assess the COP include a force plate that records the degree of swaying in a person on standing. However, Dr Ross pointed out that this plate was difficult to set up and was expensive to boot; thus ruling out widespread access. A typical force plate assembly costs at least $20,000 (approximately Rs 4, 50,000).

In a new study, Dr Clark and colleagues assessed the efficacy of the Nintendo Wii balance board and compared the results with the force plate. The study involved 30 young men, who were asked to perform a variety of balance tests on the board. All participants in the study were injury-free.

The researchers found that the data collected by the Nintendo Wii Balance Board was comparable to the force plate, but the main advantage was that the board was portable, wireless and inexpensive. "We found the data to be excellent. I was shocked given the price: it was an extremely impressive strain gauge set-up," Dr Clark told New Scientist.

The details of the study are available in the latest issue of the journal Gait and Posture.

The Nintendo Wii balance board costs just about $70 (Rs 3,000) and can prove to be most helpful in assessing the risk of falls in the elderly in a more accurate manner. Doctors also say the board could prove useful in early and more accurate detection of neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and help initiate preventive therapy.