OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of incorporating Wii Fit-based rehabilitation (WFR) into a conventional physical therapy (CPT) program on balance, functional ability, and fall risk in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). DESIGN: Single-blinded randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Sixty participants with CAI (aged 18 to 60 years) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (WFR plus CPT) or a control group (CPT only). Both groups received supervised therapy three times per week over 8 weeks. Outcome measures included the anteroposterior (APSI), mediolateral (MLSI), and overall stability indices (OSI) assessed via the Biodex Balance System; functional ability via the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-Activities of Daily Living (FAAM-ADL); and fall risk via the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), measured pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: The WFR combined with CPT group demonstrated significantly greater improvements across all outcome measures compared to the CPT-only group (p < 0.001). At 8 weeks, FAAM-ADL and FES-I scores were 94.7 +/- 3.22 and 17.77 +/- 2.76 in the intervention group versus 83.43 +/- 2.45 and 26.3 +/- 3.51 in controls, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Combined WFR and CPT program significantly enhances postural stability, functional performance, and reduces fall risk in patients with CAI. WFR may serve as a valuable adjunct in rehabilitation protocols targeting balance deficits in this population.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher