title: Effects of a wobble board-based therapeutic exergaming system for balance training on dynamic postural stability and intrinsic motivation levels.
abstract: METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of wobble board exercises with and without feedback provided through integrating the wobble board movement into a computer game system, by comparing changes in postural stability and motivation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Therapeutic exergaming systems may offer a solution to poor adherence to postural control exercise regimes by improving motivation levels during exercise performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two healthy adults, randomly assigned to an exergaming group (n = 11) and a control group (n = 11), completed 12 exercise sessions. Dynamic postural stability was quantified at baseline and follow-up using the star excursion balance test and the dynamic postural stability index during a jump-landing task. Intrinsic motivation was measured at baseline using the Self-Motivation Inventory and at follow-up using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Star excursion balance test scores showed a statistically significant (P<.008) improvement in the posteromedial and posterolateral direction for both groups. No within-group change for the dynamic postural stability index or between-group difference for star excursion balance test or dynamic postural stability index scores were observed. The "interest and enjoyment" category of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory showed significantly higher scores (P<.001) in the exergaming group at follow-up, which was 1 of the 5 Intrinsic Motivation Inventory categories evaluated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that exercising with the therapeutic exergaming system showed similar improvements in dynamic postural stability and showed a greater level of interest and enjoyment when compared to a group doing similar balance training without the game system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapy, level 2b.
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Performance Science, Health Sciences Centre, Dublin, Ireland. diarmaidfitzgerald@campus.ie
authors.forename: Diarmaid
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Nanthana
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Trakarnratanakul
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Caulfield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D009042:Motivation; D004856:Postural Balance; D055815:Young Adult