Investigating the Effects of Exergame Training on Functional Activities Among Newly-Fitted Patients with Unilateral Transtibial Amputation: A Preliminary Study

Mohammed Abdul  Hussein Jabbar; Zinat Ashnagar; Mohammad Reza  Hadian; Shohreh  Jalaie; Saeed Talebian Moghadam

doi:10.18502/jmr.v18i3.16424

Mohammed Abdul Hussein Jabbar Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Zinat Ashnagar Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Reza Hadian Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Shohreh Jalaie Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Saeed Talebian Moghadam Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v18i3.16424

Keywords: Amputation; Rehabilitation; Virtual reality exercise; Exergames (EG); Active-video games

Abstract

Introduction: This preliminary study investigates the effects of adding exergame (EG) training to conventional exercises on the functional activities of newly fitted patients with unilateral transtibial amputation.

Materials and Methods: A total of 22 newly fitted patients with unilateral transtibial amputation were equally and randomly divided into two groups as follows: the EG group who performed exercises and EG training and the control group who performed exercise only. The 2-min walk test, timed up and go test, amputee mobility predictor with prosthesis test, and physiological cost index were assessed at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks of the intervention.

Results: Both interventions effectively improved the 2-min walk test distance, timed up-and- go test, and the amputee mobility predictor with prosthesis test scores in patients with newly fitted transtibial amputation (P<0.001). Additionally, a significant improvement was observed in the timed up-and-go test time in the EG group versus the control group after the 4-week intervention (P=0.04, effect size=0.53).

Conclusion: The findings of this preliminary study further support that adding EG to exercises significantly increases movement speed among amputee patients.