Upper limb training using Wii Sports Resort for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a randomized, single-blind trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether Wii Sports Resort training is effective and if any benefits are maintained.


METHODS
Randomized, single-blind trial.


METHODS
Sixty-two hemiplegic children with cerebral palsy (6-13 years).


METHODS
Experimental group undertook six weeks of home-based Wii Sports Resort training plus usual therapy, while the control group received usual therapy.


METHODS
Outcomes were coordination, strength, hand function, and carers' perception of hand function, measured at baseline, six, and 12 weeks by a blinded assessor.


RESULTS
There was a trend of mean difference (MD) for the experimental group to have more grip strength by six (MD 4.0 N, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.8 to 8.8, p = 0.10) and 12 (MD 4.1 N, 95% CI -2.1 to 10.3, p = 0.19) weeks, and to have a higher quantity of hand function according to carers' perception by six (MD 4.5 N, 95% CI -0.7 to 9.7, p = 0.09) and strengthened by 12 (MD 6.4, 95% CI 0.6 to 12.3, p = 0.03) weeks than the control group. There was no difference between groups in coordination and hand function by six or 12 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Wii training did not improve coordination, strength, or hand function. Beyond the intervention, carers perceived that the children used their hands more.
Department of Physical Therapy, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan hsiuchingchiu@isu.edu.tw.
Hsiu-Ching
HC
Chiu
Discipline of Physiotherapy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Louise
L
Ada
Department of Physical Therapy, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
Hsin-Min
HM
Lee
D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018910:Video Games; D063367:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
      Wii™; Cerebral palsy; hemiplegia; randomized controlled trial; upper limb