Effectiveness of Nintendo Switch Combined With Occupational Therapy to Reduce Fall Risk in Patients With Hemiparesis After Acquired Brain Injury

Summary

Title: Effectiveness of Mixed Reality Combined with Occupational Therapy to Reduce Fall Risk in Patients with Hemiparesis After Acquired Brain Injury Study Purpose: This study aims to test whether adding Nintendo Switch video game exercises to regular occupational therapy helps adults with hemipareasia after brain injury. The main goals are to reduce fall risk, improve balance, and enhace quality of life and motivation during rehabilitation.

Study Design: This is a pilot randomized controlled trial. The study will run for 5 months at Polibea Norte Rehabilitation Center for Brain Injury in Madrid, Spain.

Participants: Adults over 18 years old with hemiparesia from stroke or brain injury who can walk and have mild to moderate balance problems.

Groups: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

Control Group: Receives usual occupational therapy (2 sessions per week, 1 hour each) Experimental Group: Receives 30 minutes of occupational therapy plus 30 minutes of Nintendo Switch exercises (2 sessions per week, 1 hour total) for 8 weeks The Nintendo Switch sessions use Ring Fit Adventure and Nintendo Switch Sports games that require standing, balancing, reaching, and moving different body parts. A therapist supervises all sessions.

Before and after the 8-week intervention, all participants will be assessed on:

Fall risk and balance: Using standardized tests including the Tinetti Scale, Timed Up and Go test, and Functional Reach Test Functional independence: Using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Quality of life: Using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire Satisfaction with treatment: Using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) This study will provide preliminary information about whether Nintendo Switch can be a useful tool for rehabilitation of adults with hemiparesia after brain injury. If the intervention proves feasible and shows positive effects, it could be developed into a larger study and potentially used in clinical practice as a complement to traditional therapy. The engaging nature of video games might improve motivation and adherence to rehabilitation, which are important factors for recovery.

Conditions

• Brain Injury
• Ictus

Interventions

OTHER

Nintendo Switch Exergaming Combined With Occupational Therapy

This study tests a novel rehabilitation approach combining Nintendo Switch active video gaming (exergaming) with conventional occupational therapy for adults with hemiparesia following stroke or acquired brain injury. The intervention uses commercially available Nintendo Switch console and games requiring full-body movement to target balance, postural control, strength, and coordination. The intervention is 30 minutes Nintendo Switch + 30 minutes conventional occupational therapy per session, twice weekly. This differs from: Pure exergame interventions where gaming replaces traditional therapy Technology-only approaches without conventional therapy Home-based unsupervised programs without therapist supervision Sessions are supervised by licensed occupational therapists who adjust difficulty, provide cues and assistance, ensure safety and proper movement patterns, and integrate gaming with conventional therapy goals.

OTHER

Conventional

Participants receive standard occupational therapy sesions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-12-12

Primary Completion

2026-06-20

Completion

2026-06-26

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations