Wii-habilitation as balance therapy for children with acquired brain injury.

Authors: Tatla SK, Radomski A, Cheung J, Maron M, Jarus T.

Developmental Neurorehabilation. 2012 Dec 11. [Epub ahead of print]

Acute Rehabilitation Team, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, 3644 Slocan Avenue , Vancouver, BC V5M 3E8 , Canada.

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Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Nintendo Wii compared to traditional balance therapy in improving balance, motivation, and functional ability in children undergoing acute rehabilitation after brain injury.
Methods: A non-concurrent, randomized multiple baseline single-subject research design was used with three participants. Data were analyzed by visual inspection of trend lines.
Results: Daily Wii balance training was equally motivating to traditional balance therapy for two participants and more motivating for one participant. While improvements in dynamic balance were observed, the results for static balance remain inconclusive. All participants demonstrated improvements in functional ability.
Conclusion: Wii balance therapy is a safe, feasible, and motivating intervention for children undergoing acute rehabilitation after an acquired brain injury. Further research to examine the effectiveness of Wii balance therapy in this population is warranted.

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