Effect of Nintendo Wii balance board training on postural control and functional mobility in patients with subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background
Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability, imposing considerable physiological, psychological, and financial burden worldwide. Postural instability is common after stroke and often persists despite conventional rehabilitation, limiting functional independence and increasing fall risk. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of an 8-week multimodal cognitive-sensory balance training programme using the Nintendo Wii balance board on postural control, functional mobility, and cortical activity in patients with subacute stroke.
Methods
This randomized controlled trial included 60 participants with subacute stroke (38 male, 22 female) allocated to experimental (n=30) or control (n=30) groups via computer-generated random allocation. The experimental group underwent multimodal cognitive-sensory balance training on the Wii balance board, while the control group received conventional physiotherapy, both for 8 weeks under trained physiotherapists. The Berg Balance Scale, Functional Independence Measure, Centre of Pressure parameters, and functional Electroencephalogram (EEG) were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks.
Results
The experimental group showed significantly greater improvement than the control group on the Berg Balance Scale (p<0.001), the Functional Independence Measure (p<0.001), Centre of Pressure path length (p=0.003), and Centre of Pressure velocity (p<0.001). No significant between-group difference was observed in functional EEG engagement (p=0.615), although both groups improved significantly from baseline.
Conclusion
The findings of the study indicate that multimodal cognitive-sensory balance training delivered through a gaming platform is more effective than conventional physiotherapy in improving postural stability and functional independence in subacute stroke, and may be considered a useful, low-cost adjunct rehabilitation tool in clinical practice.
Article Details
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References
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