virtual reality rehabilitation
The Nintendo Wii is a low-cost commercially available system which may be useful for therapeutic balance training in individuals with Parkinson's Disease. A study completed by researchers at the University of Western Ontario sought to evaluate the effectiveness of a twelve-week home-based virtual reality rehabilitation program using the Wii Fit system to enhance balance in eleven participants with Parkinson's Disease (Holmes, Gu, Johnson & Jenkins, 2013). It was hypothesized that the nature of the system as being interactive and enjoyable may increase levels of program adherence. Participants were encouraged to select balance activities they found most enjoyable to facilitate user interest.
Results failed to reach statistical significance and demonstrated balance improvement from baseline to midpoint with regression from midpoint to post-intervention (Holmes, Gu, Johnson & Jenkins, 2013). Performance may have leveled off after participants adapted to the activity demands which remained consistent over the course of the study. Promisingly, program adherence was maintained throughout the intervention as the Wii Fit system effectively sustained user interest (Holmes, Gu, Johnson & Jenkins, 2013). Overall, the Wii Fit system may be an affordable, innovative, and fun solution to balance training for individuals with Parkinson's Disease but future research is required to support large-scale clinical utility.
Results failed to reach statistical significance and demonstrated balance improvement from baseline to midpoint with regression from midpoint to post-intervention (Holmes, Gu, Johnson & Jenkins, 2013). Performance may have leveled off after participants adapted to the activity demands which remained consistent over the course of the study. Promisingly, program adherence was maintained throughout the intervention as the Wii Fit system effectively sustained user interest (Holmes, Gu, Johnson & Jenkins, 2013). Overall, the Wii Fit system may be an affordable, innovative, and fun solution to balance training for individuals with Parkinson's Disease but future research is required to support large-scale clinical utility.