Wii Fit Exercises Versus Pilates Exercises in Adult Patients With Lower Extremity Burn

Wii Fit Exercises Versus Pilates Exercises on Muscle Strength, Postural Balance, and Functional Performance in Adult Patients With Lower Extremity Burn

The aim of the study is to compare the effect of Wii fit exercises and Pilates exercises on muscle strength and postural balance, and functional performance in adult patients with lower extremity burn.

Severe burn injuries are associated with hypermetabolic response and increased catabolism. These lead to a vast loss of muscle mass and reduced muscle strength. The main concern of burn injury rehabilitation has shifted from survival to optimizing functional outcomes and speeding up work return. Lower limbs (LL) are considered the most burned body parts, resulting in many potential complications, including pain, contractures, scars, altered sensations, muscle weakness, and postural balance impairment.

Video game systems are more cost-effective than developing custom-designed rehabilitation equipment and are becoming increasingly popular among individuals undergoing physical rehabilitation. Among the most common video game systems used for this purpose (Wii Fit, Dance Revolution, EyeToy, and Kinect), Nintendo's Wii Fit is the most popular. It was the first video game system to use body movements as a game controller. The exerciser stands on an external balance board and controls the movement of a virtual character in the game by changing the center of pressure on the board. The game provides both visual and auditory feedback to the exerciser. This system combines fun with physical exercise for all ages as it allows for work on joint flexibility, muscular strength, and postural ergonomics.

Pilates is a mind/body exercise that requires core stability, strength, flexibility, and attention to muscle control, posture, and breathing. Pilates exercise is performed solo in one's own space, so there is no risk of collision or other contact with others. The risk of injury to the musculoskeletal system is therefore minimized, making Pilates a relatively safe form of exercise.

To the authors' knowledge there are no previous studies comparing the effect of Wii fit exercises and Pilates exercises on muscle strength and postural balance, functional performance in adult patients with lower extremity burn so, this study is designed to compare the effect of Wii fit exercises and Pilates exercises on muscle strength and postural balance, functional performance in adult patients with lower extremity burn.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The patients' age will range from 35 to 55 years.
• The patients' weight range is from 60 to 85 kg and their height ranges from 155 to 170 cm.
• The total burned surface area (TBSA) is more than 40% measured by the rule of nine.
• Patients with thermal burn only, partial-thickness burn injury, and at least 3 months after burn injuries.
• Patients with low physical activity levels.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with inhalation injury.
• Patients with leg amputation.
• Patients with any limitation in lower limb range of motion.
• Patients with auditory or visual problems.
• Patients with congenital musculoskeletal deformities, especially in the foot.
• Patients with psychiatric disorders.
• Patients with lower limb paralysis.
• Patients with cardiac abnormalities or cardiac pacemakers.