Assessment of the Wii Basic Balance Test in measuring postural deficits post-concussion

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Postural instability is a common symptom following concussion.
• Early detection of postural instability is crucial for concussion management in athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Wii Basic Balance Test (WBBT) as a tool for detecting postural instability in athletes diagnosed with concussions.
• To assess the WBBT's efficacy within 24-48 hours of the initial concussion injury.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-nine healthy controls (NORM) and fifty-six athletes with concussions (CONC) participated.
• Participants performed the WBBT, involving mediolateral weight shifts to maintain balance.
• Statistical analyses included ANOVAs and Chi-Square tests to compare performance between groups.

Main Results:

• Concussed athletes completed significantly fewer WBBT levels (p=0.032) compared to controls.
• Athletes with concussions took significantly longer to complete Level 1 (p=0.002).
• A higher proportion of concussed athletes (39%) successfully completed WBBT Level 5 compared to controls (19%).

Conclusions:

• The Wii Basic Balance Test (WBBT) shows potential as a low-cost method for assessing postural instability in athletes post-concussion.
• The WBBT can be utilized within 24-48 hours of injury to identify deficits.
• This provides a potential alternative assessment method for healthcare providers.