Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of and adherence to an exergame balance
training program with additional postural demands in patients with multiple
sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Matched controlled trial, assessment of balance before
and after different balance training programs, and adherence to home-based
balance exercise in the 6 months after the training. SETTING: A
neurorehabilitation facility and center for MS. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with
balance problems (N=70) matched into 1 of the training groups according to age as
well as balance and gait performance in 4 tests. Nine patients dropped out of the
study because of scheduling problems. The mean age of the 61 remaining
participants was 47+/-9 years, and their Expanded Disability Status Scale score
was 3+/-1. INTERVENTIONS: Three weeks of (1) conventional balance training
(control), (2) exergame training (playing exergames on an unstable platform), or
(3) single-task (ST) exercises on the unstable platform. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Test scores in balance tests and gait analyses under ST and dual-task (DT)
situations. Furthermore, in the 6 months after the rehabilitation training, the
frequency and type of balance training were assessed by using questionnaires.
RESULTS: All 3 groups showed significantly improved balance and gait scores. Only
the exergame training group showed significantly higher improvements in the DT
condition of the gait test than in the ST condition. Adherence to home-based
balance training differed significantly between groups (highest adherence in the
exergame training group). CONCLUSIONS: Playing exergames on an unstable surface
seems to be an effective way to improve balance and gait in patients with MS,
especially in DT situations. The integration of exergames seems to have a
positive effect on adherence and is thus potentially beneficial for the long-term
effectiveness of rehabilitation programs.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS