Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2017

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 12-week home-based exercise program using the Nintendo Wii system in its capacity to improve balance and balance confidence and maintain exercise compliance. Balance and balance confidence were measured with the Center of Pressure Length (COPL) and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), which were administered before the start of the intervention, 6 weeks into the intervention, and within 1 week postintervention. Although changes in balance and balance confidence scores were found to be nonsignificant, a pattern emerged in which scores for both measures rose between preand postintervention assessments, then fell to nearly baseline levels at postintervention. Changes in adherence to the intervention program over the course of 12 weeks were also found to be nonsignificant, which indicated that user interest in the program was maintained. Despite the nonsignificant changes in balance scores, the study prompts further research into the use of 2 virtual reality modalities in rehabilitation.

Comments

A product of the American Occupational Therapy Association's Evidence-based Literature Review Project.

Copyright

Copyright © 2017 American Occupational Therapy Association. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced here with permission.

Publisher's Statement

Originally published as: Lee, A., Miller, S., Synder, H., Taasan, P., & Li, K. (2017). Critically Appraised Paper for “The effects of a home-based virtual reality rehabilitation program on balance among individuals with Parkinson’s disease” Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, 31(3), 241-253. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association, Evidence-Based Practice Project.

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