Wii Fit Balance Training Compared to Traditional Balance Training in Patients With SCI/TBI/CVA

Our hypothesis is the investigators will find a significant advantage for the use of a virtual reality system like the Wii Fit to improve overall balance scores versus the use of traditional balance activities alone. The objectives will be to determine the enjoyment of these types of gaming activities through the use of a survey to support the hypothesis that these activities are more enjoyable than traditional activities and to gather evidence to support the use of these more enjoyable activities as a viable and needed addition to the overall balance regimen given in the plan of care for a patient with traumatic or acquired brain injury, stroke or spinal cord injury.

In the recent past and currently, the Wii Fit has been and will probably continue to be used as an effective rehabilitation aide in improving balance and coordination in all populations. It is another tool amongst traditional balance activities to assist the therapist and patient in reaching the goals of both parties and improving overall functional outcomes for the patient. The Wii Fit is capable of giving objective data in a stimulating environment in which to deliver fun yet effective and measurable balance training. The addition of fun and enjoyment is found in most populations using a virtual reality system like the Wii. (VR Rehab, 2008) Brumels et al suggested having lack of interest in an activity can lead to less than desired engagement and performance (Comparison, 2008), which can lead to overall less improvement. This was supported at the conclusion of their study, indicating scientific reason to include the use of video game based programs in clinical settings. If someone is interested in a task because it is enjoyable and it keeps their interest over and over then, because of the increased time practicing due to the desire to actually participate, they are more inclined to make improvements in the task being practiced. In the case of this study, balance would be the task improving. However, the same investigators concluded further research is required in order to determine the utility of an off-the-shelf gaming system like the Wii. One purpose of this project is to determine the effectiveness of this type of system with the hopes of eventually working with a company like Nintendo to make adjustments to their software and hardware systems in order to provide a comprehensive and adaptive system to deliver balance re-education to multiple populations. We also would like to determine, through the use of participant satisfaction surveys, if individuals prefer the use of a system like the Wii Fit over traditional balance exercises since improvements in balance can be linked to improved participation based on the enjoyment of the activity. If we can show that both the Wii Fit system itself is a viable apparatus with which to address and improve balance outside of traditional balance activities and that participants enjoy this method of balance activities then we open up the opportunity for a larger number of ways to assist in balance recovery for those affected with some sort of balance deficit. As the study by S M Flynn, et al, concluded, the use of systems like the WiiFit may encourage individuals to "play" with and against others promoting a healthier and less isolating lifestyle. The clinical trials in this study will be conducted in compliance with the mentioned protocol and within the regulations set by the University of Missouri and the Missouri Rehabilitation Center. The population to be studied will be individuals from the ages of 16-70 with varying degrees of functional abilities after traumatic or acquired brain injury, stroke or spinal cord injury who do possess the physical capabilities as explained in the below inclusion and exclusion criteria.