The Utilization of Nintendo® Wii™ During Burn Rehabilitation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate feasibility and measure outcomes on pain, anxiety, active range of motion (AROM), function, enjoyment, and presence with the adjunctive use of Nintendo® Wii™ (Nintendo of America Inc., Redmond, WA) during acute burn rehabilitation. Participants were alternated and stratified based on the location of burn into Wii or control treatment groups. Joints of interest with limited AROM were the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. All participants received three consecutive sessions of passive range of motion and predetermined joint-specific exercises. This was followed by either designated Wii games or therapist-chosen interventions (control). The outcomes were compared between groups using t-tests (P < .05) and Cohen's d statistic. Data from 23 participants aged 20 to 78 years were analyzed. The difference in mean slopes suggested that the Wii group experienced less pain (x = -0.97, P = .07) than the control group over time. Overall, trends with anxiety (x = -0.1l, P = .77), AROM (x = 0.55, P = .81), function (x = -0.38, P = .43), and enjoyment (x = 0.09, P = .73) seemed to favor the Wii group. Presence minimally changed between successive treatment sessions for those in the Wii group. Although statistical significance was not reached in any category, feasibility was supported and the overall pattern for outcomes was positive for the Wii group, the most favorable being for pain reduction. Future research with larger sample sizes is warranted to explore best practice with video game technology throughout the continuum of burn rehabilitation with appropriate prescriptions.

The effects of exergames on anxiety levels: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…For this reason, the corresponding authors were contacted via email; however, only one corresponding author 49 responded to our request. Thus, the remaining five studies which provided insufficient data were excluded from the quantitative analysis due to the following reasons: (i) One study did not provide pre‐test, post‐test or change score SD 48 ; two studies reported the data only as median and interquartile range 53,54 ; one study reported the premean and SD of anxiety levels of all participants together but divided the postmean and SD of anxiety levels into two groups (participants who increased or decreased minutes of exergaming) 18 ; and one study did not report the postmean and SD values 58 . Therefore, 10 studies provided sufficient data for the meta‐analysis (Figure 1).…”

A Pilot Prospective Randomized Control Trial Comparing Exercises Using Videogame Therapy to Standard Physical Therapy

“…[11][12][13][14] For nearly a decade, videogames have been used in burn rehabilitation specifically to help motivate patients for movement while distracting them from their pain. [15][16][17] In 2010, Fung et al surveyed therapists to determine their opinions on the role of videogames in burn rehabilitation. A majority of outpatient (76%) and inpatient therapists (65%) reported videogames were a useful adjunct to therapy and 73% believed it could improve treatment compliance.…”

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“…Games 36 and ''Chicken Little'' and ''Need for Speed.'' 37 AVG play proved to be an entertaining and distracting experience during the pain of burn treatment, increasing patients' tolerance 36 and decreasing pain and anxiety in adolescents 35 and young adults. 35,36 Cancer.…”

“…37 AVG play proved to be an entertaining and distracting experience during the pain of burn treatment, increasing patients' tolerance 36 and decreasing pain and anxiety in adolescents 35 and young adults. 35,36 Cancer. One study examined 5 days of 30 minutes of ''Wii Sports'' play among seven cancer inpatients 47-70 years of age and found improved mood state, relaxation, and decreased negative emotions.…”