Wii Use and Down Syndrome
A case study was published in Pediatric Physical Therapy regarding a 12 year old with a diagnosis of Down Syndrome who followed a home program using the Wii. The 12 year old used the Wii 4 times per week for 20 minute sessions over a period of 8 weeks. The family was encouraged to participate. The 12 year old choose 4 different games to play. Following the 8 week period, the child exhibited improvements in “in the child’s postural stability, limits of stability, and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd edition balance, upper-limb coordination, manual dexterity, and running speed and agility standard scores”.
Would love to see this study replicated with a larger sample size. The Wii is so much fun and engaging. In my opinion, home programs could be easily set up with increased follow through with the Wii. More fun for the individual and less set up time for the parents.
Do you use the Wii in your practice?
Curious to hear if anyone is using Kinect and what your opinion is?
Reference: Berg, P et al. Motor Control Outcomes Following Nintendo Wii Use by a Child With Down Syndrome. Pediatric Physical Therapy: Spring 2012 – Volume 24 – Issue 1 – p 78–84. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0b013e31823e05e6
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