Influence of the use of the Nintendo® Wii™ on manual dexterity and hand grip strength: a case study of Becker muscular dystrophy

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between virtual games of the Nintendo® Wii™ console and dexterity and hand grip strength in an adolescent patient with Becker muscular dystrophy. Methods: A Nintendo® Wii™ console was used with games of the Wii Sports Resort™ series. The measurements were performed before the beginning of the gaming sessions and after their execution using the box and block test for manual dexterity and a bulbar dynamometer (Sammons Preston® brand) for hand strength. Results: A pre- and post-protocol comparative analysis of the box and block test results showed that the patient obtained an increase of 17.95% in the score for manual dexterity of the right arm, and 7.4% of the left. As to grip strength, there was an increase of 20% in handgrip strength of the right arm, and 25% of the left. Conclusion: The results demonstrated improvement in the manual skills of dexterity and grip strength as measured before and after the intervention; however, more research is necessary in order to obtain new data to be compared with the current study’s findings.