title: Effects of a balance-based exergaming intervention using the Kinect sensor on posture stability in individuals with Parkinson's disease: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study examined the effects of a balance-based exergaming intervention using the Kinect sensor on postural stability and balance in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a subject-blinded, randomized controlled study. Twenty people with PD (Hoehn and Yahr stages I through III) were recruited and randomly assigned to either a balance-based exergaming group (N = 10) or a balance training group (N = 10) for an 8-week balance training period. Postural stability was assessed using the limits of stability (LOS) and one-leg stance (OLS) tests. Balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the timed up and go (TUG) test. Participants were assessed pre- and post-training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After training, participants in the balance-based exergaming group showed significant improvements in LOS performance, and in the eyes-closed condition of the OLS test. Both training programs led to improvements in BBS and TUG performance. Furthermore, balance-based exergaming training resulted in significantly better performance in directional control in the LOS test (78.9 ± 7.65 %) compared with conventional balance training (70.6 ± 9.37 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Balance-based exergaming training resulted in a greater improvement in postural stability compared with conventional balance training. Our results support the therapeutic use of exergaming aided by the Kinect sensor in people with PD.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT02671396.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Sec 2, Li Nong St., Beitou, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Meng-Che
authors: MC
authors: Shih
authors: Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Sec 2, Li Nong St., Beitou, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Ray-Yau
authors: RY
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Neurology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Shih-Jung
authors: SJ
authors: Cheng
authors: Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Sec 2, Li Nong St., Beitou, Taipei, Taiwan. yryang@ym.edu.tw.
authors: Yea-Ru
authors: YR
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004856:Postural Balance; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018910:Video Games
keywords: Balance training; Exergaming; Parkinson’s disease; Postural stability