Effects of Wii Fit Rehabilitation on Lower Extremity Functional Status in Adults With Severe Burns: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of the Wii Fit rehabilitation program in addition to a standard physical therapy program (SPTP) on lower extremity functional status and functional mobility in adults with severe burns after hospital discharge. Design: A single-blinded, parallel groups, randomized controlled trial. Settings: Outpatient rehabilitation center. Participants: Thirty-four patients (N=34), aged 31.3±7.3 years old, with lower extremity deep partial-thickness and full-thickness burn and total body surface area of more than 40% were allocated randomly into 2 equal groups. Interventions: The Wii Fit group received the Wii Fit program for 30 minutes in addition to SPTP for 60 minutes, whereas the SPTP group received SPTP only. The intervention was 3 sessions a week for 12 weeks. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measurements were the functional status and functional mobility, which were assessed by the high mobility assessment tool, Lower Limb Functional Index, and timed Up and Go test. The secondary outcomes included exercise capacity, muscle strength, and balance measured by the 6-minute walk test, isokinetic muscle strength assessment, and stability index. All the outcome measures were collected at the baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. Results: After 12 weeks of intervention, there were statistically significant differences between groups in all outcome measures in favor of the Wii Fit group (P