Article

Virtual-reality is increasingly used to improve rehabilitation
outcomes. The Nintendo Wii offers an in-expensive alternative to more complex
systems. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of Wii-based therapy for
post-stroke rehabilitation. METHODS: Seven patients (5 men, 2 women, aged 42-83
years; 1-38 months post-stroke, mean 15.3 months) and 5 healthy controls (3 men,
2 women, aged 41-71 years) undertook 1 h of therapy on 10 consecutive weekdays.
Patients progressively increased home practice to 3 h per day. RESULTS:
Functional ability improved for every patient. The mean performance time
significantly decreased per Wolf Motor Function Test task, from 3.2 to 2.8 s, and
Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores increased from 42.3 to 47.3. Upper extremity
range-of-motion increased by 20.1 masculine and 14.33 masculine for passive and
active movements, respectively. Mean Motor Activity Log
(Quality of Movement
scale) scores increased from 63.2 to 87.5, reflecting a transfer of functional
recovery to everyday activities. Balance and dexterity did not improve
significantly. No significant change was seen in any of these measures for
healthy controls, despite improved skill levels for Wii games. CONCLUSION: An
intensive 2-week protocol resulted in significant and clinically relevant
improvements in functional motor ability post-stroke. These gains translated to improvement in activities of daily living.

Langue : ANGLAIS