title: Virtual reality rehabilitation of balance: assessment of the usability of the Nintendo Wii(®) Fit Plus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the usability of the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus(®) (NWFP) in the treatment of balance impairment in vestibular and other neurological disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional, quasi-experimental study. Participants (n = 26; mean age 43 ± 14, M13:F13) with quantified balance impairment took part in a 30-minute session on the NWFP using exercises and games that challenge balance. Outcomes included the System Usability Scale (SUS), a numerical rating scale of enjoyment and a post treatment questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean SUS score was high (mean 82 ± 18%) with only two participants rating below 50%. There was a negative correlation of age with SUS scores (r = -0.54; p = 0.004). Mean numerical rating scale score (/10) for enjoyment of the NWFP session was 8.4 ± 3. Of the participants, 88.5% said that they would like to use the NWFP in future treatment. Seventy-three percent reported more enjoyment and motivation than usual physiotherapy. No falls occurred during testing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has quantified the usability of the NWFP as a treatment for balance impairment showing high levels of usability and enjoyment with no serious adverse effects. The results of this study may assist physiotherapists in devising novel balance rehabilitation programmes. [Box: see text].
authors: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, School of Physiotherapy, Dublin, Ireland. dmeldrum@rcsi.ie
authors: Dara
authors: D
authors: Meldrum
authors: Aine
authors: A
authors: Glennon
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Herdman
authors: Deirdre
authors: D
authors: Murray
authors: Rory
authors: R
authors: McConn-Walsh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance; D011434:Proprioception; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D018910:Video Games