Randomized Comparison Trial of Balance Training by Using Exergaming and Conventional Weight-Shift Therapy in Patients With Chronic Stroke

The use of gaming technology for rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis

“…51,52 Karim et al showed that playing exergames resulted in a robust hyperemic response in the superior temporal gryus and supramarginal gyrus, 51 indicating that these areas were important for balance. Furthermore, the duration of this response after cessation was prolonged (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) s longer than what would be expected), suggesting an adaptation of the vestibular network in response to the balance task. After 12-weeks of Wii balance training, Prosperini et al showed an improvement in balance, 52 suggesting a functional restoration (i.e.…”

“…The findings from these studies were inconclusive with either a greater improvement or no difference in outcomes following exergame training. [21][22][23] This is partly due to the wide range of duration/intensities and games used in these designs, and a lack of consensus on the outcome measures. The designs of these studies are however quite robust in that a) they compare an exergaming intervention to another intervention and b) the exergaming intervention is as an adjunct to a conventional training program.…”

The use of virtual reality for balance among individuals with chronic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Thirteen studies [18][19][20][22][23][24]27,[30][31][32][33][34]36 were included in the meta-analysis examining the effect of all VR interventions on TUG scores. A fixed effects model demonstrated little heterogeneity between studies (Q = 10.047, I 2 = 0.000, df = 12).…”

Is Nintendo Wii an Effective Intervention for Individuals With Stroke? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Random sequence generation was used in 5 trials, 23,24,26e28 3 of which used centralized randomization protocols. 23,26,27 All included studies have a degree of performance bias due to the difficulty in blinding participants and therapists to group allocation. Four studies 23,26e28 used blinded evaluators.…”

“…Most studies recruited broadly similar patients into each trial arm. Three trials 23,26,27 described in detail the exercises performed by both groups of participants for co-interventions. The other studies stated only that the control and intervention groups had the same amount of cointervention dosage (time) but did not elaborate further.…”