Clinical Feasibility of Interactive Commercial Nintendo Gaming for Chronic Stroke Rehabilitation

PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of interactive games played on a Nintendo Wii on postural control, motor function and functional independence of chronic stroke patients.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty chronic stroke patients were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group played interactive games using the Nintendo Wii for 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 3 weeks, whereas the control group did not play interactive games. Result measures included the postural assessment scale, the modified motor assessment scale and the functional independence measure.RESULTS:There were significant differences in the postural assessment scale and modified motor assessment scale scores of both groups after the intervention, and between the control group and the experimental group after the intervention. However, there were no significant differences in functional independence measure scores.CONCLUSION:An interactive game played on a Nintendo Wii appears to be an effective intervention for improvement of chronic stroke patients’ functional results. Therefore, research into the most effective type of Wii game and the clinical significance should continue.