Commercially-Available Interactive Video Games for Individuals with Chronic Mobility and Balance Deficits Post-Stroke

Physical activity games have the potential to provide innovative, cost-effective approaches to help people recover motor skills after experiencing a stroke. Commercially-Available Interactive Video Games for Individuals with Chronic Mobility and Balance Deficits Post-Stroke compares effects of two video game systems (Wii and EyeToy) on players' mobility, balance and fear of falling to determine whether these systems deliver effective post-stroke balance training that could supplement and extend the physical therapy that patients with stroke normally receive.

Principal Investigator
Stacy Fritz, Ph.D., M.S.P.T.
Clinical Assistant Professor
School of Public Health
Department of Exercise Science
Other Researchers

Angela Merlo, DPT
Erin Rivers, DPT

News

Grantee Project Publication Title Datesort icon
University of South Carolina
Commercially-Available Interactive Video Games for Individuals with Chronic Mobility and Balance Deficits Post-Stroke Bloomberg.com Nintendo's Punching Seniors Get Workout, Sell Out Wii (Update 2) 01/15/2009
University of South Carolina
Commercially-Available Interactive Video Games for Individuals with Chronic Mobility and Balance Deficits Post-Stroke Bluffton Today Exercise That Feels Like Play
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07/25/2008

Publications

Fritz, S.L, Rivers, E.D., Merlo, A.R., & Duncan, B.M. (2009).  Examining the effects of commercially available video game systems, the Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation 2, on balance and mobility in individuals with chronic stroke.  Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy Abstracts, 33(4), 224-232.

Invited presentation. (2009, April). Are We Underdosing our Patients? Colorado State University, Occupational Therapy Department, Spring Research Seminar, Keynote Speaker.

Invited presentation. (2009, July).  Importance of Intensity in Stroke Rehabilitation. Physiotherapy College Raipur, India.

Invited presentation. (2009, July).   Importance of Intensity & Evaluation in Stroke Rehabilitation. Srinivas College of Physiotherapy, Mangalore, India.

Invited presentation. (2009, June). Utilization of Video Gaming and Brain Function: A Researcher’s Perspective. National Athletic Trainers Association, National Meeting, Feature Presentation, San Antonio.

Invited presentation. (2009, March). The Use of Commercially Available Video Gaming in Rehabilitation. University of South Carolina, Exercise Science, Seminar Series.

Invited presentation. (2009, September).  Are we Underdosing our Patients?  University of South Carolina, Neurogenics Graduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology.

Invited presentation. (2009, September).  Introduction to Research in Rehabilitation Lab; Undergraduate Research Program, University of South Carolina.

Invited presentation. (2010, June).  Video Games – an Option to Improve Balance following Stroke? ScienceCafes.org, Columbia, SC.

Peters, D., Fritz, S. L., Merlo, A., & Rivers, E. D. (2010). Examining the effects of Wii and Playstation game play on dynamic gait and symmetrical weight-bearing in individuals with chronic stroke: A preliminary study.  Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy Abstract. 34(4), 224-231.