Does the use of Nintendo WiiTM Sports improve dominant arm function and is it acceptable to patients after stroke?

ISRCTN ISRCTN06807619
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN06807619
Secondary identifying numbers 11030
Submission date
25/11/2011
Registration date
25/11/2011
Last edited
16/03/2016
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Circulatory System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. The injury to the brain can lead to weakness or paralysis in one side of the body. The aim of this study is to find out whether people who have arm weakness after a stroke can benefit from exercising with a Nintendo WiiTM for six weeks in addition to their usual rehabilitation programme. We want to find out if using the WiiTM improves arm function, how the participants feel about using it and if this use can reduce costs for the health service over time.

Who can participate?
Stroke patients aged 18 and over who have weakness in their dominant arm (the arm they used to do most things like writing or using a knife).

What does the study involve?
Patients are approached about the study in hospital or a clinic following a stroke but the rest of the study takes place in their own homes, except for the 6-week and 6-month follow-up visits which take place either in the patient’s home or in the outpatient clinic or research unit at the convenience of the participant. Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Participants in one group each receive a WiiTM game and console to use at home with their own TV to exercise their arm for six weeks. Participants in the other group are taught personalised arm exercises. Both groups are asked to exercise daily for six weeks. There are questionnaires and simple, painless tests at the start, after 6 weeks and again after 6 months. Twenty five of the participants who use a WiiTM for 6 weeks may be asked for a further interview so that we can understand fully how using the WiiTM affected their condition. In all cases, the study should last no more than 6 months.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Not provided at time of registration

Where is the study run from?
This study is conducted in a number of stroke centres in the South West of England.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2011 to July 2013

Who is funding the study?
NIHR Research for Patient Benefit Grant (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Katja Adie
katja.adie@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk

Contact information

Dr Katja Adie
Scientific

Treliske
Truro
TR1 3LJ
United Kingdom

Email katja.adie@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk

Study information

Study designRandomised; Interventional; Design type: Not specified
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleDoes the use of Nintendo WiiTM Sports improve dominant arm function and is it acceptable to patients after stroke?
Study acronymTrial of WiiTM in STroke (TWIST)
Study objectivesThe aim of this research study is to find out whether people who have arm weakness after a stroke can benefit from exercising with a Nintendo WiiTM for six weeks in addition to their usual rehabilitation programme.
Ethics approval(s)11/SC/0405
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedTopic: Stroke Research Network; Subtopic: Rehabilitation; Disease: Device used
InterventionPatients are likely to be approached about the study in hospital or a clinic following a stroke but the rest of the study will take place in their own homes, except for the 6 week and 6 months follow-up visits which can take place either in patients home, or in outpatient clinic or research unit at the convenience of the participant. The WiiTM game and console will be lent to 120 participants to use at home with their own TV to exercise their arm for six weeks. The other 120 will be taught personalised arm exercises. Both groups will be asked to exercise daily for six weeks. There are questionnaires & simple, painless tests at the start, after six weeks and again after six months. Twenty five of the participants who have a WiiTM for six weeks may be asked for a further interview to make sure the researchers understand fully how using the WiiTM affected their condition. In all cases, the study should last no more than six months.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureArm strength and function as measured by the Action Research Arm Test at six weeks
Secondary outcome measuresNot provided at time of registration
Overall study start date01/11/2011
Completion date31/07/2013

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsPlanned Sample Size: 240; UK Sample Size: 240
Key inclusion criteria1. Clinical diagnosis of new stroke within the previous six months at time of consent
2. Aged 18 years or older
3. Participants living at home at the start of their participation in study with suitable home environment (consider enough space, plus suitable TV, electricity supply and telephone)
4. Weakness in the dominant arm Medical Research Council (MRC) scale less than 5 in any joint plane of movement) due to stroke
6. Able to manipulate WiiTM remote control
7. Able to understand and follow two stage commands and able to give written or verbal consent
Target Gender: Male & Female ; Lower Age Limit 18 years
Key exclusion criteria1. Comorbidity which impairs ability to participate (e.g. severe arthritis, severe cognitive impairment, severe cardiorespiratory
disease)
2. Hemianopia or visual inattention
3. Concurrent participation in another interventional study
4. Pacemaker or Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device (possible interference from the WiiTM)
5. In, or likely to be discharged to, long term care
Date of first enrolment01/11/2011
Date of final enrolment31/07/2013

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Treliske
Truro
TR1 3LJ
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (UK)
Hospital/treatment centre

Treliske
Truro
TR1 3LJ
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/026xdcm93

Funders

Funder type

Government

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (UK) - Research for Patient Benefit Grant (ref. pb-pg-0110-20332)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 09/10/2014 Yes No
Results article results 01/03/2015 Yes No
Results article results 01/02/2017 Yes No

Editorial Notes

15/03/2016: Publication reference added.