The Effects of the Wii Fit Balance The Effects of the Wii Fit Balance Games on Static and Dynamic Games on Static and Dynamic

Balance of 9-11 Year Old Boys with Balance of 9-11 Year Old Boys with Developmental Coordination DisorderDevelopmental Coordination Disorder

Sarah Krasniuk, Jenna MacLeod, Stuart Matthews, Sarah Krasniuk, Jenna MacLeod, Stuart Matthews, Jamila Twahir, Jamila Twahir, Jane Taylor Jane Taylor

IntroductionIntroduction

Wii Fit InterventionWii Fit Intervention

Purpose of the Wii Fit is to improve balance, strength, flexibility, fitness, and general well-being (Nitz, Kuys, Isles, & Fu, 2009)

Improves balance in persons compromised by stroke (Brown, Sugarman, & Burstin, 2009; & Deutsch, Robbins, Morrison, & Bowlby, 2009)

An Approach to Improving An Approach to Improving Balance using a Virtual Reality Balance using a Virtual Reality

InterventionIntervention 9 sessions, 2 sessions/week

Purpose StatementPurpose Statement

To investigate the effect of 9 sessions of Wii Fit Balance training on static and dynamic balance of three boys with DCD aged 9-11 years.

MethodMethod

Wii Fit Balance TrainingWii Fit Balance Training

Data AnalysisData AnalysisPre- and post-intervention Intervention measuresPre- and post-intervention Intervention measures measuresmeasures

AMTI force plate protocol

MABC Single subject design

-Sway area- AP sway- ML sway- path length- possible anterior sway (PAS)- possible posterior sway (PPS)

- Total balance score (TBS)

-Scoring 2 or 3 stars (depending on game)- for 3/5 trials- 2 sessions in a row- continue playing the same games

ResultsResultsSingle SubjectSingle Subject

• Participant 3 performing Soccer Header and Penguin Slide

Force plate: Participant 3Force plate: Participant 3

Pre-intervention balance space task

Post-intervention balance space task

PAS & PPS for dynamic balancePAS & PPS for dynamic balance

• Post-intervention increases in sway were measured with percent gains in balance space task: Anterior sway: 8.43% Posterior sway: 262%

DiscussionDiscussion

Wii Fit Balance Training Increased level, trend, and implied reaction and movement

time

Force Plate Increased sway in static balance tasks increased

tolerance of sway

Largest gain participant 1 (262%) in posterior sway

MABCMABCParticipant Pre-intervention

TBSPost-intervention TBS

1 <5% >15%

2 >15% >15%

3 5% <5%

Participant 3 made highest level of improvement with the Wii Fit, but obtained a worse TBS score post-intervention

Suggests that the Wii Fit is more of a motivational tool than the static and dynamic balance tests of the MABC

ConclusionConclusion

Motivator to practice balance games to: React more quickly, Develop balance and problem-solving strategies

Participants 2 and 3 were so engaged they purchased a

Wii Fit

Potential for balance training More research needed

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Any Questions?Any Questions?