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Effectiveness, Safety and Applicability of Wii Therapy in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases



Author(s)

Márjorie Y. Meinhardt, Ahlam Hamid, Janaína Schäfer, Daniel Fernando Cruz, Lisiane Lisboa Carvalho and Andréa Lúcia Gonçalves da Silva

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DOI:10.17265/1548-6648/2013.02.003

Aim: We investigated the applicability, effectiveness and safety of Wii Therapy to improve trunk flexibility and reduce symptoms in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) patients. Methodology: Case reports of 13 COPD patients from the PR (Pulmonary Rehabilitation) program. They performed 10 sessions of Wii therapy, 2 times/week. The patients were randomized into two groups: Group A (5 tennis sessions after 5 bowling sessions) and Group B (10 tennis and bowling sessions, both associated in the same sessions). We analyzed the trunk forward flexibility, dyspnea by Modified Borg Scale Dyspnea index, COPD symptoms by COPD Assessment Test—CAT and the psychological responses by Subjective Experiences Scale. Results: After Wii Therapy, we observed a positive evolution in trunk forward-flexibility, especially in Group B (A = 73.57 ± 11.07; B = 80.83 ± 19.85, no significant). Despite the positive developments of symptoms by the Borg Scale-Dyspnea index (A = 0 vs. B = 0.5) and CAT (A = 11.14 ± 4.01 vs. B = 10.33 ± 2.33), Group A performed better than Group B. The psychological responses observed were positive experiences for both groups. Conclusion: Wii Therapy focuses only on the individual’s movement can be used as a complement to PR. This therapy was effective, safe and easy to apply, in addition to being a resource that provides fun for the patient.

COPD; rehabilitation; flexibility; dyspnea; effectiveness.