Effectiveness of Wii^Ⓡ-based rehabilitation in Patients with Brain Tumors:

A Scoping Review

Abstract

【Objective】

In recent years, the use of virtual reality technology has spread rapidly in the medical and welfare fields and has also found its way in rehabilitation. Nintendo Wii^Ⓡ is one of the most widely used virtual reality systems in the world owing to its ease of use, cost, and accessibility at home. However, to date, the reports of its use in patients with brain tumors are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Wii^Ⓡ‐based rehabilitation for patients with brain tumors.

【Methods】

A scoping review was conducted using PubMed (MEDLINE), the Cochrane Library, and Ichu‐shi Web databases as well as a hand search of the English and Japanese literature from 2006 to 2021. Prior to the literature search, keywords and synonyms related to brain tumors and Wii^Ⓡ were identified, and a search formula was developed to include them. Articles were selected based on a specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.

【Results】

Of the 155 identified studies, three were eligible for review. Subjects included pediatric and adult patients with brain tumors. Wii^Ⓡ‐based rehabilitation was shown to be effective for physical function, activities of daily living (ADL), motivation for physical activity, and distraction from the hospital environment for patients with brain tumors.

【Conclusion】

Wii^Ⓡ‐based rehabilitation was suggested to improve physical function, ADL, and mental status in patients with brain tumors. However, the number of the studies included━only three━was insufficient to demonstrate the efficacy of Wii^Ⓡ‐based rehabilitation in terms of the study design. We therefore hope that more rigorously designed intervention studies will validate its efficacy.