Dance-based exergaming on postural stability and kinematics in people with chronic stroke – A preliminary study

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The study evaluated the feasibility, and compliance of a dance-based exergaming (DBExG) on postural stability (PS) and lower extremity (LE) kinematics, along with post-intervention changes in gait function and falls self-efficacy in people with chronic stroke (PwCS).

Methods

Fifteen PwCS underwent DBExG for six weeks using Kinect “Just Dance 3.” Pre- to post- changes were recorded during DBExG assessment on a fast-paced song (130 bpm) using an 8-camera motion capture system to assess PS (center of mass [CoM] excursions [EXs] in the anterior-posterior [AP] and mediolateral [ML] directions) and LE kinematics (hip, knee, and ankle joint angle EXs). Gait function was also assessed with gait parameters, such as gait speed, cadence, and gait symmetry on an electronic walkway. Falls self-efficacy was recorded with Falls Efficacy Scale (FES).

Results

The AP and ML CoM EXs and paretic joint angle EXs significantly increased pre- to post- DBExG assessment (p < .05). Gait parameters, and falls self-efficacy measures significantly changed pre- to post- DBExG (p < .05).

Conclusions

Results exhibited the feasibility of the proposed DBExG for positively impacting postural stability, and kinematics, along with increasing gait function and falls self-efficacy among PwCS.

KEYWORDS:

• Dance-based exergaming
• stroke
• postural stability
• kinematics

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Alison Schenone and Julia Lerman for editing the manuscript, Ernest Ofori for assisting with the data collection.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by the department of Physical Therapy funds (to Tanvi Bhatt) and by the Midwest Roybal Center for Health Promotion and Translation - Predoctoral pilot grant (5 P30 AG 022849).