Effect of Wii Fit Rehabilitation on Balance, Functional Ability, and Risk of Falling in Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of incorporating Wii Fit-based rehabilitation into a conventional physical therapy program on balance, functional ability, and fall risk in individuals with chronic ankle instability. DESIGN: This is a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Sixty participants with chronic ankle instability (aged 18-60 yrs) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (Wii Fit-based rehabilitation plus conventional physical therapy) or a control group (conventional physical therapy only). Both groups received supervised therapy three times per week over 8 wks. Outcome measures included the anteroposterior, mediolateral, and overall stability indices assessed via the Biodex Balance System; functional ability via the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-Activities of Daily Living; and fall risk via the Falls Efficacy Scale-International, measured before and after intervention. RESULTS: The Wii Fit-based rehabilitation combined with conventional physical therapy group demonstrated significantly greater improvements across all outcome measures compared with the conventional physical therapy-only group ( P < 0.001). At 8 wks, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-Activities of Daily Living and Falls Efficacy Scale-International scores were 94.7 ± 3.22 and 17.77 ± 2.76 in the intervention group versus 83.43 ± 2.45 and 26.3 ± 3.51 in controls, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Combined Wii Fit-based rehabilitation and conventional physical therapy program significantly enhance postural stability, functional performance, and reduces fall risk in patients with chronic ankle instability. Wii Fit-based rehabilitation may serve as a valuable adjunct in rehabilitation protocols targeting balance deficits in this population.