Patients with a unilateral vestibular loss often complain of dizziness and imbalance. Movement usually increases these symptoms often resulting in patients avoiding these movements, causing further limitations in their activities of daily living. Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) involves a series of adaptation and balance exercises to improve symptoms of postural stability. There is evidence that stroke patients gain benefit in their rehabilitation from using gaming consoles (Nintendo Wii Balance) and we believe that similar advantages can be shown for balance patients. We plan a 3 arm study. As there is a considerable wait list for VR, the first arm will receive a Wii console and instructions to use it on the wait list and during VR. The second arm will receive a Wii console and instructions at the end of the waiting list and will use it during VR only and the control group will receive no Wii. All will spend the same time on the wait list and will receive identical assessments and VR
None required
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
7
Use of Nintendo Wii Balance Gaming system
Toronto General Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dizziness Handicap Index
Dynamic Gait index assessed by questionnaire at initial assessment (t=0) and then at 6 (midway through wait list), 12 (beginning of vestibular rehabilitation) and 18 weeks (end of vestibular rehabilitation) All groups compared at baseline
Time frame: t=0 (at initial assessment)
Dizziness Handicap Index
Dynamic Gait index assessed by questionnaire at initial assessment (t=0) and then at 6 (midway through wait list), 12 (beginning of vestibular rehabilitation) and 18 weeks (end of vestibular rehabilitation) Group 1 (Wii during wait list and Vestibular Rehab) compared to Group 3 (Control)
Time frame: t=6 weeks
Dizziness Handicap Index
Dynamic Gait index assessed by questionnaire at initial assessment (t=0) and then at 6 (midway through wait list), 12 (beginning of vestibular rehabilitation) and 18 weeks (end of vestibular rehabilitation) Group 1 (Wii during wait list and Vestibular Rehab) compared to Group 3 (Control) All groups compared as a baseline before Vestibular Rehab
Time frame: t=12 weeks
Dizziness Handicap Index
Dynamic Gait index assessed by questionnaire at initial assessment (t=0) and then at 6 (midway through wait list), 12 (beginning of vestibular rehabilitation) and 18 weeks (end of vestibular rehabilitation) Group 2 (Wii during Vestibular Rehab only) compared to Group 3 (Control)
Time frame: t=18 weeks
Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance
mCTSIB assessed by blinded assessor at initial assessment (t=0)and then at 12 (beginning of vestibular rehabilitation) and 18 weeks (end of vestibular rehabilitation)
Time frame: t=0 (at initial assessment), t=6 weeks, t=12 weeks, t=18 weeks
Activity Specific Balance Confidence Scale
Activity Specific Balance Confidence Scale assessed by questionnaire at initial assessment (t=0)and then at 6 (midway through wait list), 12 (beginning of vestibular rehabilitation) and 18 weeks (end of vestibular rehabilitation)
Time frame: t=0 (at initial assessment), t=6 weeks, t=12 weeks, t=18 weeks
Dynamic Gait Index score
Dynamic Gait index assessed by blinded assessor at initial assessment (t=0)and then at 12 weeks (beginning of vestibular rehabilitation) and 18 weeks (end of vestibular rehabilitation)
Time frame: t=0 (at initial assessment), t=12 weeks, t=18 weeks
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