Nintendo Wii versus resistance training to improve upper-limb function in children ages 7 to 12 with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a home-based pilot study

Abstract

This pilot, home-based study compared a Nintendo Wii intervention to a single-joint upper-limb resistance training of a similar intensity, in n=6 children ages of 7 to 12 with spastic hemiplegic CP with respect to upper limb function, compliance and motivation levels. The main results found that all participants in the Wii intervention group (n=3) experienced positive changes in more than one assessment from pre-test to follow-up, and these changes were on average greater than those experienced by the resistance training group (n=3). Also, the Nintendo Wii group had a higher compliance rate, and higher parent-reported motivation levels throughout the study. This suggests that Nintendo Wii interventions for the upper limbs may be a more effective home-based rehabilitation strategy than the single-joint upper limb resistance training program used in this study, due to greater participant motivation to comply with Nintendo Wii training. These findings warrant further research.