Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based rehabilitation of
balance using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board System (WBBS) in patients affected
by multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: In this 24-week, randomized, 2-period
crossover pilot study, 36 patients having an objective balance disorder were
randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to 2 counterbalanced arms. Group A started a
12-week period of home-based WBBS training followed by
a 12-week period without
any intervention; group B received the treatment in reverse order. As endpoints,
we considered the mean difference (compared with baseline) in force platform
measures (i.e., the displacement of body center of pressure in 30 seconds),
4-step square test (FSST), 25-foot timed walking test (25-FWT), and 29-item MS
Impact Scale (MSIS-29), as evaluated after 12 weeks and at the end of the 24-week
study period. RESULTS: The 2 groups did not differ in baseline characteristics.
Repeated-measures analyses of variance showed significant time x treatment
effects, indicating that WBBS was effective in ameliorating force platform
measures (F = 4.608, P = .016), FSST (F = 3.745, P = .034), 25-FWT (F = 3.339, P
= .048), and MSIS-29 (F = 4.282, P = .023). Five adverse events attributable to
the WBSS training (knee or low back pain) were recorded, but only 1 patient had
to retire from the study. CONCLUSION: A home-based WBBS training might
potentially provide an effective, engaging, balance rehabilitation solution for
people with MS. However, the risk of WBBS training-related injuries should be
carefully balanced with benefits. Further studies, including cost-effectiveness
analyses, are warranted to establish whether WBBS may be useful in the home setting.

Langue : ANGLAIS