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

Not Applicable

Terminated

Conditions: Patellofemoral Syndrome
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome

Interventions: Other: Wii Fit (TM) Interactive Video Game
Other: Traditional Home Exercise Program

Brief Summary: 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: 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.

Recruitment & Eligibility

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

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Wii Fit (TM) Interactive Video Game	Wii Fit (TM) Interactive Video Game	Wii Fit (TM) Interactive Video Game
Traditional Home Exercise Program	Traditional Home Exercise Program	Traditional Home Exercise Program

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percentage of Exercise Days Completed.	3 months	Calculated for the 12 week period as daily exercise completion rate as percentage

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
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