Effects of exergames on trunk balance control in paraplegic patients

Abstract

Introduction: Due to motivation and immediate feedback during activities, exergame-based physical therapy may improve trunk balance and functionality in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Objective: evaluate the effects of exergames on the trunk control of paraplegics with spinal cord injury or meningomyelocele. Method: case series involving four paraplegic patients, with SCI or meningomyelocele. Participants underwent a rehabilitation protocol using the exergame Nintendo Wii®, attending one weekly session for 4 weeks. Patients were encouraged to perform trunk movements in the sitting position using the Swordplay and Canoeing games. Data were collected before and after the intervention by applying the functional reach test adapted for trunk control evaluation, and transfer time and propulsion tests for functional assessment. Results: The intervention increased trunk control in 75% of the patients, with improvement varying between 6.4 and 25%. In the propulsion test, the intervention led to a decrease in half of the patients. For the cadence variable, in the same test, there was a reduction in the number of propulsions in 75% of the cases. In the transfer test, the intervention led to reduced chair-to-bed transfer time in all patients. Conclusion: Rehabilitation of paraplegics with the use of exergames can be considered viable, innovative and effective. However, future research with greater methodological rigor should be conducted in order to analyze the clinical applicability of this approach.