Designing a Double-Blind Clinical Trial to Compare the Effects of Nintendo Wii on Ankle Spasticity in Subjects with Stroke

Spasticity is one of the well-known consequences of stroke. Todays, virtual reality systems are known as a standard therapy method in neurologic disorders such as stroke. Nintendo Wii is a motion-controlled game system which provides an alternative form of repetitive task training in an interactive enriched environment. Despite the direct relationship between the motor pattern and spasticity, former studies have not considered the effect of spasticity on balance and movement of patients experiencing a stroke. Given the above-mentioned issues, this study seeks to evaluate the effect of Nintendo Wii on ankle spasticity in patients with a stroke.

This study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the subjects selected were randomly divided into the two standard therapy and standard therapy plus Nintento Wii groups. Modified Ashworth scale (MAS), H-Reflex latency, Hmax/Mmax Ratio, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) as outcome measures were assessed by a blinded physiotherapist and a neurologist at the beginning of the first session and at the end of the last session. Standard therapy included weight bearing, stretching, and active exercises. In addition to the standard therapy, the trial group received 30 minutes of Nintendo Wii game. the data analysis was conducted by SPSS software. T-test and paired t-test were used for the normal data distribution and Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon test for the abnormal data distribution.

This study sought to introduce a new and cost-effective treatment tools which can be used at home to improve function among the stroke survivors