Intensive strength and balance training with the Kinect console (Xbox 360) in a patient with CMT1A

ABSTRACT

Background: Effective drugs for type 1A Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT1A) disease are not available. Various forms of moderate exercise are beneficial, but few data are available on the effectiveness of exercise in CMT1A children. Aim: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of exercises to improve ankle strength and limb function in a child with CMT1A. Setting: Outpatient clinic. Population: Nine-year-old boy with CMT1A. Methods: The rehabilitation program consisted of ankle exercises and Kinect videogame-directed physical activities (using an Xbox 360 console/movement sensor) that aimed to improve balance and limb strength. The program was given 3 times a week for 5 weeks. The child was assessed at baseline, after 5 weeks, and 3 and 6 months after. Results: By the end of follow-up, child balance and endurance had improved, but ankle strength did not. Conclusions: The encouraging results for balance and endurance justify further studies on videogame-directed activities in CMT1A children/adolescents.

KEYWORDS:

• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• childhood
• rehabilitation
• strength training
• videogame-directed exercises

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Elenora Bavera for drawing their attention to Kinect videogames as an approach to physical rehabilitation in children. We thank the child and his parents for taking part in this study. The authors also thank Don Ward, freelance science editor for scientific writing assistance.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.