Effects of interactive video-game–based exercise on balance in older adults with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease

• Main Authors: Rey-Yue Yuan, Shih-Ching Chen, Chih-Wei Peng, Yen-Nung Lin, Yu-Tai Chang, Chien-Hung Lai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-07-01
• Series: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
• Subjects: Interactive video game-based exercise; Parkinson’s disease; Balance; Crossover trial
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12984-020-00725-y

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a customized interactive video game-based (IVGB) training on balance in older adults with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods In this 12-week crossover trial, PD patients ≥65 years of age were randomly divided into Group A (a 6-week intervention phase followed by a 6-week control phase) and Group B (a 6-week control phase followed by a 6-week intervention phase). Participants received IVGB exercise training during the intervention phase and no exercise during the control phase. Functional outcomes were measured using behavioral evaluation scales and questionnaires at baseline, week 6 and week 12. Results Twenty-four PD patients were included in this study, and were evenly divided into two groups. After Bonferroni adjustment, the changes in Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) and two subscales of Multi-Directional Reach Test were significantly different between two groups in the first 6-week period. In addition, the changes in Berg Balance Scale, MFES, and two subscales of Maximum Step Length were significantly different between two groups in the second 6-week period. Compared to controls, 6-week IVGB exercise intervention significantly improved different but overlapping functional outcomes in two groups of PD patients. Conclusions The customized IVGB exercise training improves balance, postural stability and confidence in preventing falls in older adults with mild-to-moderate PD. However, this IVGB exercise doesn’t have a significant impact on quality of life. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03689764 . Registered 27 September 2018, retrospectively registered.