Effectiveness and safety of Nintendo Wii Fit PlusTM training in children with migraine without aura: a preliminary study

• Published in: Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment 2013-11, Vol.9 (default), p.1803-1810
• Main Authors: Esposito, Maria, Ruberto, Maria, Gimigliano, Francesca, Marotta, Rosa, Gallai, Beatrice, Parisi, Lucia, Lavano, Serena Marianna, Roccella, Michele, Carotenuto, Marco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: childhood rehabilitation; Migraine; migraine without aura; Motor ability; Nintendo Wii Fit PlusTM; pediatric migraine
• ISSN: 1176-6328; 1176-6328; 1178-2021
• DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S53853

Background: Migraine without aura (MoA) is a painful syndrome, particularly in childhood; it is often accompanied by severe impairments, including emotional dysfunction, absenteeism from school, and poor academic performance, as well as issues relating to poor cognitive function, sleep habits, and motor coordination. Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 71 patients affected by MoA (32 females, 39 males) (mean age: 9.13±1.94 years); the control group consisted of 93 normally developing children (44 females, 49 males) (mean age: 8.97±2.03 years) recruited in the Campania school region. The entire population underwent a clinical evaluation to assess total intelligence quotient level, visual-motor integration (VMI) skills, and motor coordination performance, the later using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC). Children underwent training using the Wii-balance board and Nintendo Wii Fit Plus™ software (Nintendo Co, Ltd, Kyoto, Japan); training lasted for 12 weeks and consisted of three 30-minute sessions per week at their home. Results: The two starting populations (MoA and controls) were not significantly different for age (P=0.899) and sex (P=0.611). M-ABC and VMI performances at baseline (T0) were significantly different in dexterity, balance, and total score for M-ABC (P