Nilsagård YE, Forsberg AS, von Koch L Balance exercise for persons with multiple sclerosis using Wii games: a randomised, controlled multi-centre study. Mult Scler. 2012 Jun 6. [Epub ahead of print]
Background: The use of interactive video games is expanding within rehabilitation. The evidence base is, however, limited.
Objective: Our
aim was to evaluate the effects of a Nintendo Wii Fit® balance exercise
programme on balance function and walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis
(MS).
Methods: A multi-centre, randomised, controlled single-blinded
trial with random allocation to exercise or no exercise. The exercise
group participated in a programme of 12 supervised 30-min sessions of
balance exercises using Wii games, twice a week for 6-7 weeks. Primary
outcome was the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). In total, 84 participants
were enrolled; four were lost to follow-up.
Results:
After the
intervention, there were no statistically significant differences
between groups but effect sizes for the TUG, TUGcognitive and, the
Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) were moderate and small for all other measures.
Statistically significant improvements within the exercise group were
present for all measures (large to moderate effect sizes) except in
walking speed and balance confidence. The non-exercise group showed
statistically significant improvements for the Four Square Step Test and
the DGI.
Conclusion: In comparison with no intervention, a programme of
supervised balance exercise using Nintendo Wii Fit® did not render
statistically significant differences, but presented moderate effect
sizes for several measures of balance performance.
This study suggests that there is limited value in using Wii to improve balance, maybe doing some real excersise is the key.
There are other Wii studies on the go, so looks like they could be a bust maybe is Wii is not a piece of p**s but a pile of junk