After stroke, the recovery of hand function is a factor significantly associated with independence in everyday life. Among treatments for upper extremity rehabilitation, constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) is among the current best practices. This study compared a commercial videogame, the Nintendo Wii, to CIMT for the treatment of upper extremity function after stroke.

Subjects were 42 patients with upper extremity limb impairment, three to 12 months post-stroke. The patients were randomized to receive either CIMT or Wii, in a 14-day, dose-matched, assessor-blinded trial. Those in the modified CIMT group agreed to wear the constraint mitt on the less affected hand for up to 90% of waking hours. Therapy included shaping practice, tailored to the patient's motor function. For the Wii group, the controller was used only in the more affected hand to engage in games of golf, boxing, baseball, bowling and tennis. The primary outcome measures were the Wolf Motor Function Test timed-tasks (WMFT-tt) and the Motor Activity Log Quality of Movement scale (MALQOM).

Linear mixed model analyses revealed a change in MALQOM score (P<0.001) across all time points and a nonsignificant trend for the WMFT-tt (P＝0.052), with improvements persisting at six months. No significant differences were found between the groups on either primary outcome measure. Patients reported high perceived improvement in satisfaction scores, with no difference between groups.

This study demonstrates that Wii may be as effective as Constraint Induced Movement Therapy for improving motor function of upper extremities after stroke.