The effects of exergaming on balance, gait, technology acceptance and flow experience in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.
Robinson J, Dixon J, Macsween A, van Schaik P, Martin D.
BACKGROUND:Exergaming is a promising new alternative to traditional modes of therapeutic exercise which may be preferable and more effective for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Impaired balance is reported as one of the most disabling aspects of MS. The purposes of this study were to examine the effects of exergaming on: (1) postural sway, (2) gait, (3) technology acceptance and (4) flow experience in people with MS. Secondary outcomes were disability: 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) questionnaire.
METHODS:Fifty-six adults (mean age = 52 years, SD = 5.8; 38 women) with a clinical diagnosis of MS and able to walk 100 meters with or without use of a walking aid were included in this study and randomized into 3 groups. Group 1 received balance training using the Nintendo Wii Fit™ (exergaming) and Group 2 undertook traditional balance training (non-exergaming). Group 3 acted as a control group, receiving no intervention. Exergaming and traditional balance training groups received four weeks of twice weekly balance-orientated exercise. Postural sway was measured using a Kistler™ force platform. Spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured using a GAITRite™ computerised walkway. Technology acceptance and flow experience were measured using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and the Flow State Scale questionnaires, respectively.
RESULTS:There were significant improvements in bipedal postural sway in both intervention groups when compared to the control group; and no effects of either intervention on gait. There were no significant differences between the interventions in technology acceptance but on several dimensions of flow experience the Wii Fit™ was superior to traditional balance training. Both interventions showed improvements in disability compared to control.
CONCLUSIONS:In terms of the physical effects of exergaming, the Wii Fit™ is comparable to traditional balance training. These findings would support the use of the Wii Fit™ as an effective means of balance and gait training for people with MS, which is both accepted and intrinsically motivating to MS users.
'Exergaming' sounds like something Steve Jobs would have come up with (and yes I know Wii Fit is Nintendo's) and he had talent for framing a product.
'Exergaming' stands for exercise using computer-gaming technology, and in real world speak studies have demonstrated improvements in balance, lower-limb muscle strength, psychological benefits and greater exercise enjoyment.
Falls in MS are thought to be the result of increased postural sway or wobble, both Wii Fit and traditional balance training showed improvements in balance measures; however, the former can be performed in the comfort of your own home.
The games to check out are:
Balance games -
- Heading (soccer) (balance board)
- Ski Slalom (balance board)
- Table Tilt (balance board)
- Tight Rope (balance board)
- Boxing (handheld controllers)
- Step Ups (balance board)
- Hula Hoop (balance board)
- Torso Twist (balance board)
- Rowing Squats (balance board)