Use of Nintendo Wii Fit™ to augment pediatric rehabilitation

Date

2010-08

Authors

McCain, April

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Abstract

Incorporating virtual reality with therapy programs is a unique way to provide therapy in a functional, purposeful, and motivating context that can be individualized. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of augmenting occupational therapy intervention with participation in therapist-guided Wii Fit™ activities in children with motor coordination deficits as measured by the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2nd Ed. (BOT-2). Four children were recruited to the study and randomly divided into an experimental or control group, two in each. Intervention involved 30 minute sessions, twice weekly for ten weeks. Upon comparison of initial and final BOT-2 composite scores, the scores of participants in the experimental group were no higher than the scores of participants in the control group. Even though both therapy regimes produced various skill improvements, it is notable that participants in the experimental group demonstrated high levels of engagement during Wii Fit™ activities.

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Keywords

Health and environmental sciences, Motor coordination deficits, Developmental disabilities

Citation