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ABSTRACT
Background and Purpose: Recently, the Nintendo Wii has emerged as an innovation in rehabilitation. Although research findings to date have contributed to our understanding of the effects of implementing the Wii as a rehabilitation tool, evidence supporting the Wii for improving symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains limited. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week home-based exercise program designed around the Wii, in improving balance, balance confidence, and maintaining exercise adherence among individuals with PD. Methods: Fifteen participants were recruited to engage in 30 minutes of Wii activity 3×/week for 12 weeks. Results: Balance and balance confidence improved from baseline to midintervention, but reverted back to near baseline values at postintervention. Exercise adherence was maintained equally throughout the study. Conclusions: The Nintendo Wii has potential to be an effective treatment strategy for improving balance, balance confidence, and fostering programmatic adherence among individuals with PD.