Friday August 29 2014 10:00 AM
New findings show improvement in balance
27 people with multiple sclerosis underwent a 12 week intervention using a Wii balance board. Researchers used an MRI technique called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to study changes in the brain. The MRI scans have shown that use of the balance board appears to induce positive changes in brain connections associated with balance and movement.
Dr Prosperini lead researcher said 'The most important finding in this study is that a task-oriented and repetitive training aimed at managing a specific symptom is highly effective and induces brain plasticity," he said. "More specifically, the improvements promoted by the Wii balance board can reduce the risk of accidental falls in patients with MS, thereby reducing the risk of fall-related comorbidities like trauma and fractures'
Dr Susan Coote, MS Reseacher at the University of Limerick (UL) said, "Balance problems are common for people with MS and lead to problems with walking or falls and injury. Because balance is a complex problem that can be caused by weakness, poor sensation, poor coordination or a combination of all of these, assessment and treatment by a Chartered Physiotherapist is important.
The Wii balance board is one promising treatment option that may suit people with relatively minor balance problems and the studies by Prosperini et al have reported interesting results. They reported that the treatment can improve balance and reduce falls, but also showed that changes at brain level were responsible for the improvements seen – this is important as we strive to understand the best ways to address these complex balance problems for people with MS. Other treatments such as physiotherapy based on core stability, dual tasking and sensory inputs can also make a difference as can home programmes. Because MS symptoms vary it is important that we have a range of treatment options to suit the individual nature of MS symptoms."
Comments
Sue Gardener
Friday August 29 2014 13:10
I have been using the Wii balance board for last 2 weeks to help my balance. With WII fit its good as u can monitor your progress & see if 'bad days' are as bad as you think it has made me more aware of my balance, posture & weight positioning i find it a real plus.
Carmel Clarke
Friday August 29 2014 22:12
I wonder if anyone can tell me where these Wii boards can be bought and roughly what is the cost?
Aisling
Tuesday September 02 2014 14:25
Carmel, the wii balance board can be bought in most places that sell consoles and games. Smyths toys have one for €80 and it comes with the Wii fit game which has balance activities on it.
I got one a few years ago for my daughter and I remember trying to do the balance games and struggling quite badly, This was pre-diagnosis and I could never understand why my balance was so bad!
Must dig it out and give it a go to see if I can get some improvement.
Helen Farrell
Friday September 12 2014 11:25
Carmel we got a balance board and console through boards.ie for sale. It is in excellent condition. I use the WiiFit game. It has yoga, exercises, balance games. It's a lot of fun! My balance is measurably improved. It estimates your WiiFit age vs. your real age and I've gone from "70" to "38" - younger than I actually am!
We all play it together as a family and it does not feel like a chore at all.