Date of Award

2015

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Department Chair

John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the Nintendo Wii can be used as a more effective method of rehabilitation than traditional physiotherapy exercises for patients with knee reconstruction surgery?

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies, published after 1999.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one case study with no comparison group were found using PubMed. These studies analyzed Nintendo Wii intervention in patients that underwent knee reconstructive surgery in need of rehabilitation.

OUTCOME MEASURED: The outcome measured was improvement in balance through use of the Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, center of pressure sway measured with stabilometry, and the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test. The tools used to assess significance of outcomes measured were p-values and change in mean from baseline.

RESULTS: All three studies demonstrated differing results with regard to the Nintendo Wii being used as a method of knee rehabilitation. The Fung et al study showed an insignificant improvement in balance confidence after rehabilitation (p > 0.05). The Puh et al study found that Wii therapy improved the balance of a single case patient with a change in mean from baseline of 59cm to 37.9cm, however a p-value was not available. The Baltaci et al study demonstrated an insignificant improvement in balance with use of the Nintendo Wii (p >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Nintendo Wii as a more effective method of knee rehabilitation is inconclusive. All three studies demonstrated conflicting results. The Nintendo Wii may benefit as an adjunct therapy to be used along with traditional physiotherapy exercises.

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