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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
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Published on: March 8, 2018
Interactive gaming consoles reduced pain during acute minor burn rehabilitation: A randomized, pilot trial
Matthew Parker1, Brett Delahunty1, Nicolas Heberlein1
1Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia, Australia.
Introduction:
Interactive gaming consoles (IGCs) have been used successfully in rehabilitation settings as an adjunct to conventional exercise for restoring or maintaining active function and augmenting pharmacological analgesia.
Aim:
The objective of this pilot study was to assess if adjunctive use of the Nintendo Wii IGC was of benefit to acute burn patients.
Method:
This was a randomized, controlled trial. The intervention group received routine rehabilitation in addition to up to 5 days of twice daily, 20-30 min of exercise using the Nintendo Wii IGC. The control group received routine rehabilitation exercise therapy.
Results:
A total of 22 subjects were recruited and randomized by location of burn to intervention and control groups. Pain scores were significantly improved in the intervention group (r(2)=1.18; 95%CI -0.584 to -0.298, p=0.019) as indicated by a 17% greater drop in the pre-post-study pain compared to controls. Fear avoidance and ROM measurements were not statistically different between the groups.
Conclusion:
The Nintendo Wii IGC was associated with a greater reduction in pain, particularly in those with higher levels of pain at baseline.
