title: Multiple sclerosis: changes in microarchitecture of white matter tracts after training with a video game balance board.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if high-intensity, task-oriented, visual feedback training with a video game balance board (Nintendo Wii) induces significant changes in diffusion-tensor imaging ( DTI diffusion-tensor imaging ) parameters of cerebellar connections and other supratentorial associative bundles and if these changes are related to clinical improvement in patients with multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The protocol was approved by local ethical committee; each participant provided written informed consent. In this 24-week, randomized, two-period crossover pilot study, 27 patients underwent static posturography and brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at study entry, after the first 12-week period, and at study termination. Thirteen patients started a 12-week training program followed by a 12-week period without any intervention, while 14 patients received the intervention in reverse order. Fifteen healthy subjects also underwent MR imaging once and underwent static posturography. Virtual dissection of white matter tracts was performed with streamline tractography; values of DTI diffusion-tensor imaging parameters were then obtained for each dissected tract. Repeated measures analyses of variance were performed to evaluate whether DTI diffusion-tensor imaging parameters significantly changed after intervention, with false discovery rate correction for multiple hypothesis testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were relevant differences between patients and healthy control subjects in postural sway and DTI diffusion-tensor imaging parameters (P < .05). Significant main effects of time by group interaction for fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity of the left and right superior cerebellar peduncles were found (F2,23 range, 5.555-3.450; P = .036-.088 after false discovery rate correction). These changes correlated with objective measures of balance improvement detected at static posturography (r = -0.381 to 0.401, P < .05). However, both clinical and DTI diffusion-tensor imaging changes did not persist beyond 12 weeks after training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the low statistical power (35%) due to the small sample size, the results showed that training with the balance board system modified the microstructure of superior cerebellar peduncles. The clinical improvement observed after training might be mediated by enhanced myelination-related processes, suggesting that high-intensity, task-oriented exercises could induce favorable microstructural changes in the brains of patients with multiple sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: From the MS Center, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry (L.P., F.F., D.F., F.D.A., C.P.), and Neuroradiology Section, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry (N.P., E.S., F.T., E.R., P.P.), S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Viale dell' Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; and IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (P.P.).
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prosperini
authors.forename: Fulvia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fanelli
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Petsas
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sbardella
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tona
authors.forename: Eytan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Raz
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fortuna
authors.forename: Floriana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Angelis
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pozzilli
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pantano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018910:Video Games; D066127:White Matter / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media