Exergames for balance dysfunction in neurological disability : a meta-analysis with meta-regression
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2020
Citazione:
Exergames for balance dysfunction in neurological disability : a meta-analysis with meta-regression / L. Prosperini, V. Tomassini, L. Castelli, A. Tacchino, G. Brichetto, D. Cattaneo, C. Solaro. - In: JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY. - ISSN 0340-5354. - (2020 May 23). [Epub ahead of print]
Abstract:
Objective To evaluate systematically the efcacy of exergames for balance dysfunction in neurological conditions and to
identify factors of exergaming protocols that may infuence their efects.
Methods We searched electronic databases for randomized clinical trials investigating the efect of commercial exergames
versus alternative interventions on balance dysfunction as assessed by standard clinical scales in adults with acquired neurological disabilities. Standardized mean diferences (Hedge’s g) were calculated with random-efects models. Subgroup
analyses and meta-regression were run to explore potential modifers of efect size.
Results Out of 106 screened articles, 41 fulflled criteria for meta-analysis, with a total of 1223 patients included. Diseases
under investigation were stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s
disease, traumatic brain injury, and myelopathy. The pooled efect size of exergames on balance was moderate (g=0.43,
p<0.001), with higher frequency (number of sessions per week) associated with larger efect (β =0.24, p=0.01). There
was no efect mediated by the overall duration of the intervention and intensity of a single session. The benefcial efect of
exergames could be maintained for at least 4 weeks after discontinuation, but their retention efect was specifcally explored
in only 11 studies, thus requiring future investigation. Mild to moderate adverse events were reported in a minority of studies. We estimated a low risk of bias, mainly attributable to the lack of double-blindness and not reporting intention-to-treat analysis.
Conclusions The pooled evidence suggests that exergames improve balance dysfunction and are safe in several neurological conditions. The fndings of high-frequency interventions associated with larger efect size, together with a possible sustained efect of exergaming, may guide treatment decisions and inform future research.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
exergames; balance; rehabilitation; disability; meta-analysis
Elenco autori:
L. Prosperini, V. Tomassini, L. Castelli, A. Tacchino, G. Brichetto, D. Cattaneo, C. Solaro
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