Research Shows Using Wii Fit Could Aid Development of Children with Movement Difficulties

The Wii U may be the newest console on the block, but don't abandon your Wii just yet. A new study seems to indicate that using the console's Wii Fit peripheral could help improve the development of children with movement difficulties.

The study comes from a collaborative effort between Sussex Community NHS Trust, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust, and academics at Goldsmiths, University of London and Oxford Brookes University, Oxford.

Led by Professor Elisabeth Hill from Goldsmith's Department of Psychology, Oxford Brookes' Dr. Dido Green, and Dr. Ian Male of West Sussex PCT, the study "indicated that regular use of balance games on the Wii Fit could have a positive impact on the motor skills, and related social and emotional behavior of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)".

Two groups of children with movement difficulties were studied over a one month period. One group spent ten minutes, three times a week using the Wii Fit during their lunch break, while the other group took part in their regular Jump Ahead Program, aimed at helping children develop motor skills.

The results found significant gains in motor proficiency in the group of children who used the Wii Fit, as well as improved perception of the children's motor ability, and reported emotional well-being for more of the children in the group.

Professor Hill believes the study provides evidence to support the use of the Wii Fit within similar programs for childrens with DCD.

"The results provide interesting points warranting further discussion, particularly in view of the fact that many children have access to the Nintendo Wii Fit and may be using this system at home with minimal supervision. This simple, popular intervention represents a plausible method to support children's motor and psychosocial development," she added.

Don't expect to see a row of Wii's start lining up in therapy offices across the country just yet. Said Dr. Green, "These preliminary results highlight the need for further research to inform across these and other questions regarding the implementation of virtual reality technologies in therapeutic services for children with movement difficulties."