Visual biofeedback balance training using wii fit after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of balance training with visual biofeedback on balance, body symmetry, and function among individuals with hemiplegia following a stroke. [Subjects and Methods] The present study was performed using a randomized controlled clinical trial with a blinded evaluator. The subjects were twenty adults with hemiplegia following a stroke. The experimental group performed balance training with visual biofeedback using Wii Fit(®) together with conventional physical therapy. The control group underwent conventional physical therapy alone. The intervention lasted five weeks, with two sessions per week. Body symmetry (baropodometry), static balance (stabilometry), functional balance (Berg Balance Scale), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go test), and independence in activities of daily living (Functional Independence Measure) were assessed before and after the intervention. [Results] No statistically significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups. In the intragroup analysis, both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in all variables studied. [Conclusion] The physical therapy program combined with balance training involving visual biofeedback (Wii Fit(®)) led to an improvement in body symmetry, balance, and function among stroke victims. However, the improvement was similar to that achieved with conventional physical therapy alone.

Are we supererestimating gait assessments of patients with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus?

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a syndrome characterized by a triad composed of cognitive alteration, urinary incontinence, and gait impairment associated with ventricular enlargement and normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Gait impairment is among the earliest symptoms; however, the reliability of the evaluation is not well-established and no consensus has been reaching regarding variables that should be analyzed and which parameters should be considered to accurately assess post-intervention improvement. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are the degree of repeatability, standard error of measurement, and minimum detectable change considered to detect changes in gait variables in iNPH patients? METHODS: A total of 84 iNPH patients with a mean age of 77.1 (±6.4) years were analyzed. Gait deviation index (GDI), speed, cadence, cycle time, stride length, single support, and first and second double support were chosen as the variables to be analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed by an independent evaluator, with gait repeatability assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the standard error of measure (SEM). RESULTS: ICC values were 0.76-0.85 with excellent repeatability, while SEM demonstrated that the variables with best repeatability were the GDI (mean, 4.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.63-5.43), representing a 7.65% mean relative error of the measurement (mean, 0.05 m; 95% CI, 0.05-0.06), and stride length (mean 0.05 m; 95% CI, 0.05-0.06), with a 7.69% mean relative error. SIGNIFICANCE: We concluded that GDI and stride length were the variables with the best repeatability and lower variability in the gait of iNPH patients.

Análise do equilíbrio em pacientes hemiparéticos após o treino com o programa Wii Fit / Balance analysis in hemiparetics patients after training with Wii Fit program

Objetivo: A hemiparesia é um comprometimento parcial do hemicorpo que altera o equilíbrio, sendo este essencialpara as atividades funcionais. Objetivo: Avaliar o equilíbrio em pacientes hemiparéticos submetidosao treino de equilíbrio com o programa Wii Fit, que atuou como um recurso de biofeedback visual. Método: Foram selecionados 12 pacientes hemiparéticos pós AVE, 5 do sexo masculino e 7 do sexo feminino, comidade média de 58 ± 12,57 anos, divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos. Um deles realizou a fisioterapiaconvencional (GC) pelo período de uma hora, o outro realizou por trinta minutos e mais trinta minutos de treino de equilíbrio com auxílio do Wii Fit (GW), duas vezes por semana durante cinco semanas, completando dez sessões. O equilíbrio foi avaliado antes e após as intervenções, por meio da aplicação da Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB) e pela estabilometria, que mensura a oscilação do centro de pressão (COP),nos eixos ântero-posterior (AP) e médio-lateral (ML), por uma plataforma de pressão em duas condições: de olhos abertos (OA) e olhos fechados (OF). Resultados: De acordo com a EEB, os pacientes, tanto do GC quanto o do GW, obtiveram maior controle do equilíbrio estático e dinâmico. Na avaliação do COP no eixo ML, os indivíduos do GC e do GW tiveram diminuição na oscilação ML após a intervenção proposta para cada grupo, nas condições de OA e OF. No eixo AP do COP, o GC não teve diminuição na oscilação AP de OA e OF, eo GW apresentou diminuição na oscilação AP de OA e OF. Conclusão: O presente estudo demonstra que a fisioterapia associada ao treino de equilíbrio com o Wii Fit apresenta resultados significantes na reabilitaçãodos indivíduos hemiparéticos, obtendo, assim, mais um recurso terapêutico na fisioterapia.