Article

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a home-based balance training programme
using visual feedback (Nintendo Wii Fit game with balance board) on balance and
functional abilities in subjects with Parkinson's disease, and to compare the
effects with a group of paired healthy subjects.
SUBJECTS: Ten subjects with
moderate Parkinson's disease and 8 healthy elderly subjects. METHODS: Subjects
participated in a 6-week home-based balance training programme using Nintendo Wii
Fit and balance board. Baseline measures were taken before training for the
Sit-to-Stand test (STST), Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), Tinetti Performance Oriented
Mobility Assessment (POMA), 10-m walk test, Community Balance and Mobility
assessment (CBM), Activities-specific Balance and Confidence scale (ABC),
unipodal stance duration, and a force platform. All measurements were taken again
after 3 and 6 weeks of training. RESULTS: The Parkinson's disease group
significantly improved their results in TUG, STST, unipodal stance, 10-m walk
test, CBM, POMA and force platform at the end of the 6-week training programme.
The healthy subjects group significantly improved in TUG, STST, unipodal stance
and CBM. CONCLUSION:
This pilot study suggests that a home-based balance
programme using Wii Fit with balance board could improve static and dynamic
balance, mobility and functional abilities of people affected by Parkinson's
disease.

Langue : ANGLAIS