Revista de fisioterapia y rehabilitación física

Comparative Study Using Functional and Stabilometric Evaluation of Balance in Elderly Submitted to Conventional Physiotherapy and Wii-rehabilitation

Abstract

João Paulo Alves do Couto, Maiama Leite do Nascimento and Osmar Pinto Neto

Objective: To analyze and compare the benefits and advantages of using the Nintendo® WII console software and conventional physiotherapy for improving the balance in the elderly. Materials and methods: Sixteen elders, divided in 2 groups according to the received treatment (conventional physiotherapy or Wii-based rehabilitation), had their balance evaluated by 4 methods, by using the Berg balance scale, the functional reach, the “time up and go” test, and stabilometry. Results: Berg balance scale scores improved for the Wii-based rehabilitation group. Larger body displacement towards the frontal region was observed in the functional reach test for the participants treated with Wii-based rehabilitation. Decreased time for completing the “time up and go” test was observed for Wii-based rehabilitation. Stabilometric data revealed no significant differences between the two groups or between the different evaluations. Conclusions: We conclude that the Wii-based rehabilitation treatment was more effective in improving balance functional parameters than a more traditional physiotherapy protocol for older adults.