Exergaming and static postural control in individuals with a history of lower limb injury.

CONTEXT: Therapeutic exercise programs that incorporate real-time feedback have been reported to enhance outcomes in patients with lower extremity joint injuries. The Wii Fit has been purported to improve balance, strength, flexibility, and fitness.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of Wii Fit rehabilitation on postural control and self-reported function in patients with a history of lower limb injury.

DESIGN

Single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Laboratory.

PATIENTS OR OTHER

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-eight physically active participants with a history of lower limb injuries were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (9 Wii Fit, 10 traditional, 9 control).

INTERVENTION(S): Intervention groups performed supervised rehabilitation 3 d/wk for a total of 12 sessions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Time to boundary (TTB) and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) were conducted at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Self-reported function was measured at baseline and 4-week follow-up. Between-groups differences were compared using repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance.

RESULTS

With the eyes open, both intervention groups improved (P < .05) in the mean and the SD of the TTB anterior-posterior minima. In the eyes-closed condition, a time main effect (P < .05) for absolute TTB medial-lateral minima was observed. A time main effect was also noted in the posteromedial and posterolateral reach directions of the SEBT. When the scores for each group were pooled, improvement (P < .05) in self-reported function was demonstrated at 4-week follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Rehabilitation using the Wii Fit and traditional exercises improved static postural control in patients with a history of lower extremity injury.