Abstract
[Purpose] Motor control and muscle strength impairments are the prime reasons for motor
behavior disorders in children with spastic cerebral palsy. These impairments lead to
histological changes in muscle growth and the learning of motor skills. Therefore, such
children experience reduced muscle force generation and decreased muscle flexibility. We
investigated the effect of training with Nintendo Wii Fit games on motor performance in
children with spastic cerebral palsy. [Subjects and Methods] Forty children with cerebral
palsy spastic diplegia aged 6–10 years diagnosed with level-3 functional capabilities
according to the Gross Motor Classification System (GMFCS) were enrolled. Participants
were divided randomly into equal groups: group (A) that practiced with the Nintendo Wii
Fit game for at least 20 minutes/day for 12 weeks and group (B) that underwent no training
(control group). The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (mABC-2) was used to
assess motor performance, because it mainly involves motor tasks very similar to those
involved in playing Nintendo Wii Fit games, e.g., goal-directed arm movements, balancing,
and jumping. [Results] There were significant improvements in the subscales of the motor
performance test of those who practiced with the Nintendo Wii, while the control group
showed no significant changes. [Conclusion] Using motion interactive games in home
rehabilitation is feasible for children with cerebral palsy.