Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Supervisor

Jeffery Holmes

2nd Supervisor

Lisa Klinger

Joint Supervisor

Abstract

Increasingly the Nintendo Wii has been cited as an adjunctive tool for physical rehabilitation among healthy young and older adults, and among diverse range of patient populations (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy, and Down syndrome) in clinical settings. However, evidence supporting the implementation of Wii-habilitation in community settings remains limited. The present study evaluates the feasibility of a 4-week community based exercise program using the Nintendo Wii™; as a tool for improving balance in individuals with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) several years post injury. This study also evaluates whether use of the Wii™ in this context may lead to clinically significant changes in occupational performance and/or community integration.

Seven individuals with ABI engaged in two 30-minute Wii™ balance training sessions per week, for 4 weeks. Results extend previous findings to suggest that Wii™ is a feasible tool that can be used to foster positive effects on balance, occupational performance, and community integration among individuals with ABI in a community setting. Future research is warranted to extend this line of inquiry with both a more potent intervention and larger sample.

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