Use of Wii Fit (TM) to Increase Compliance With Home Exercises in Treating Patellofemoral Syndrome

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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To determine the utility of the Wii Fit TM interactive video game program in patellofemoral symptom resolution, development of increased muscle strength and flexibility as a result of increased compliance with home exercises in adolescent females with patellofemoral syndrome.

Detailed Description
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Patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) is a very common diagnosis amongst adolescents and young adults. Symptoms can be chronic in nature and interfere with sporting activity and activities of daily living. Current treatment consists of home exercises to increase muscular strength and flexibility. Adolescents are known to have poor compliance with treatments for chronic illnesses. There is a paucity of published literature surrounding the Wii TM Interactive Video Game. There has been one published report of the use of Wii Fit TM in rehabilitation where participants used the Wii Fit TM to train proprioception after ankle injury. Individuals that participated in the Wii Fit TM group found improvement in their balance on objective measures as well as increased enjoyment with their treatment plan. One anecdotal report used the Wii TM video game in physiotherapy treatments of a college athlete and found a dramatic increase in attendance compliance after introduction of the video game. This randomized controlled study will determine if using the Wii Fit TM for home exercise completion will increase compliance and subsequently improve symptoms related to patellofemoral syndrome in adolescent females.

Official Title
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The Use of Wii Fit ™ to Increase Compliance With Home Exercises for Treatment of Patellofemoral Syndrome in Adolescent Females

Conditions
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Patellofemoral Syndrome, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Wii Fit (TM) Interactive Video Game
* Other: Traditional Home Exercise Program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Female between ages of 11 and 17 years of age A diagnosis of patellofemoral syndrome with one or more of the following symptoms: anterior knee pain, positive theater sign, stairs provoking knee pain. No physiotherapy or regular, structured home exercise program is being followed Parental/guardian consent to participate Patient assent to participate Exclusion Criteria: Patients participating in physiotherapy at the time of initial assessment or have had physiotherapy in the last 6 months for patellofemoral syndrome Patients performing regular home exercise program prescribed by physician, physiotherapist, or other allied health professional for patellofemoral syndrome at time of initial assessment Patients who have additional knee pathology (e.g. acute patellar dislocation; acute internal knee derangement (i.e. meniscal, ligament injury); osteochondritis dissecans; severe apophysitis or tendinitis) that could interfere with rehabilitation exercises due to pain or instability from these conditions Individuals with history of knee surgery Individuals that have a Wii Fit TM video game at home Individuals for whom consent and assent is not obtained

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 11 Years
Maximum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Wii Fit (TM) Interactive Video Game<br>Wii Fit (TM) Interactive Video Game | Other: Wii Fit (TM) Interactive Video Game<br>* Use of interactive video game exercise program on a daily basis focusing on quadriceps and hamstring flexibility along with VMO strengthening.<br>* Other names: Nintendo Wii Fit (TM);|
| Active Comparator: Traditional Home Exercise Program<br>Traditional Home Exercise Program | Other: Traditional Home Exercise Program<br>* Completion of daily home exercise program for quadriceps and hamstring flexibility and VMO strengthening.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Percentage of Exercise Days Completed. | Calculated for the 12 week period as daily exercise completion rate as percentage | 3 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Patellofemoral Symptoms |  | 3 months | 
| Change in Hamstring Flexibility |  | 3 months | 
| Change in Quadriceps Flexibility |  | 3 months | 
| Change in Vastus Medialis Oblique Muscle Strength |  | 3 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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anterior knee pain, adolescents, female, interactive video games, patellofemoral syndrome, treatment, compliance, home exercises