title: Home-based balance training programme using Wii Fit with balance board for Parkinsons's disease: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of a home-based balance training programme using visual feedback (Nintendo Wii Fit game with balance board) on balance and functional abilities in subjects with Parkinson's disease, and to compare the effects with a group of paired healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten subjects with moderate Parkinson's disease and 8 healthy elderly subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects participated in a 6-week home-based balance training programme using Nintendo Wii Fit and balance board. Baseline measures were taken before training for the Sit-to-Stand test (STST), Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), 10-m walk test, Community Balance and Mobility assessment (CBM), Activities-specific Balance and Confidence scale (ABC), unipodal stance duration, and a force platform. All measurements were taken again after 3 and 6 weeks of training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Parkinson's disease group significantly improved their results in TUG, STST, unipodal stance, 10-m walk test, CBM, POMA and force platform at the end of the 6-week training programme. The healthy subjects group significantly improved in TUG, STST, unipodal stance and CBM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study suggests that a home-based balance programme using Wii Fit with balance board could improve static and dynamic balance, mobility and functional abilities of people affected by Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Jean-Francois
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Esculier
authors.forename: Joanie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaudrin
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bériault
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.forename: Louis E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Tremblay
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D018910:Video Games; D016138:Walking