• Andreas Kramer, Christian Dettmers, and Markus Gruber.
• Sensorimotor Performance Lab, Department of Sports Sciences, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany. Electronic address: andreas.kramer@uni-konstanz.de.
• Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Oct 1; 95 (10): 1803-9.

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of and adherence to an exergame balance training program with additional postural demands in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).DesignMatched controlled trial, assessment of balance before and after different balance training programs, and adherence to home-based balance exercise in the 6 months after the training.SettingA neurorehabilitation facility and center for MS.ParticipantsPatients with balance problems (N=70) matched into 1 of the training groups according to age as well as balance and gait performance in 4 tests. Nine patients dropped out of the study because of scheduling problems. The mean age of the 61 remaining participants was 47±9 years, and their Expanded Disability Status Scale score was 3±1.InterventionsThree weeks of (1) conventional balance training (control), (2) exergame training (playing exergames on an unstable platform), or (3) single-task (ST) exercises on the unstable platform.Main Outcome MeasuresTest scores in balance tests and gait analyses under ST and dual-task (DT) situations. Furthermore, in the 6 months after the rehabilitation training, the frequency and type of balance training were assessed by using questionnaires.ResultsAll 3 groups showed significantly improved balance and gait scores. Only the exergame training group showed significantly higher improvements in the DT condition of the gait test than in the ST condition. Adherence to home-based balance training differed significantly between groups (highest adherence in the exergame training group).ConclusionsPlaying exergames on an unstable surface seems to be an effective way to improve balance and gait in patients with MS, especially in DT situations. The integration of exergames seems to have a positive effect on adherence and is thus potentially beneficial for the long-term effectiveness of rehabilitation programs.Copyright © 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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