Effectiveness of rehabilitation based on recreational activities: A systematic review

Table 3 Brief summary of articles based on structured abstracts and additional elements

Ref.	Szturm et al[27]	Gil-Gómez et al[28]	Saposnik et al[29]
Citation	Phys Ther 2011; 91: 1449-1462	J Neuroeng Rehabil 2011; 8: 30	Stroke 2010; 41: 1477-1484
Title	Effects of an interactive computer game exercise regimen on balance impairment in frail community-dwelling older adults: a randomized controlled trial	Effectiveness of a Wii balance board-based system (eBaViR) for balance rehabilitation: a pilot randomized clinical trial in patients with ABI	Effectiveness of virtual reality using Wii gaming technology in stroke rehabilitation: a pilot randomized clinical trial and proof of principle
Aim/objective	To examine the feasibility and benefits of physical therapy based on a task-oriented approach delivered via an engaging, interactive video game paradigm. The intervention focused on performing targeted dynamic tasks, which included reactive balance controls and environmental interaction	To evaluate the efficacy of the eBaViR system as a rehabilitation tool for balance recovery in patients with ABI	To examine the feasibility and safety the VR Nintendo Wii gaming system (VRWii) compared with RT in facilitating motor function on the upper extremity required for activities of daily living among patients with subacute stroke receiving standard rehablitation
Setting/place	A geriatric day hospital (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)	Hospital NISA Valencia al Mar y Sevilla A ljarafe, Spain	Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
Participants	Thirty community-dwelling and ambulatory older adults. Inclusion Criteria; age: 65-85 yr, MMSE score > 24, English-speaking with the ability to understand the nature of the study and provide informed consent, independent in ambulatory functions, with or without an assistive device (cane or walker). without a disability and medical conditions (cancer, kidney disease, fracture, uncontrolled diabetes or seizure disorder, cardiovascular-related problems, stroke, multiple sclerosis, late-stage Parkinson disease, fainting, or dizzy spells)	Twenty participants. Inclusion criteria were: (1) age ≥ 16 yr and < 80 yr; (2) chronicity > 6 mo; (3) absence of cognitive impairment (MMSE > 23); (4) able to follow instructions; and (5) ability to walk 10 m indoors with or without technical orthopaedic aids	Participants (n = 22) who are 18 to 85 yr of age (mean age 61.3 yr) having a first-time ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
Intervention	The control group received the typical rehabilitation program such as strengthening and balance exercise at the day hospital. The experimental group received a program of dynamic balance exercises coupled with computer-based video game play, using a center-of-pressure position signal as the computer mouse. The tasks were performed while standing on a fixed floor surface, with progression to a compliant sponge pad. Each group received 16 sessions, scheduled 2/wk, with 45 min	Each patient participated in a total of 20 1-h-sessions of rehabilitation and accomplished a minimum of 3 sessions and a maximum of 5 sessions per week. During control sessions, traditional rehabilitation exercises that focused on balance training were practiced either individually or in a group. The sessions of the trial group were programmed according to the three games of the system (Simon, Balloon Breaker and Air Hockey) with a system based on the eBaViR. The eBaViR using Nintendo system had a significant improvement in static and/or standing balance (BBS and Anterior Reaches Test) compared to patients who underwent traditional therapy. The patients reported having had fun during the treatment without suffering from cyber side effects, which implies additional motivation and adhesion level to the treatment	Participants received an intensive program consisting of 8 interventional sessions of 60 min each over a 14-d period. Intervention group conducted a virtual reality Wii gaming, and the control group did a RT such as card game
Main and secondary outcomes	BBS, TUG, ABC	BBS, Brunel Balance Assessment, and ART	Feasibility and safety were set as the main outcome, and the efficiency was a secondary outcome in this study
Randomisation	Group assignment codes were placed in envelopes and sealed. Each individual who agreed to enter the study randomly selected an envelope	The randomization schedule was computer generated using a basic random number generator	The randomization schedule was computer generated using a basic random number generator
Blinding/masking	Assessors were blinded to the participant group assignments. The participant names of the GaitRite data files were coded	Program specialsits and assessors were blinded to the patients group assignments	Only caregivers were blinded (single blinding)
Numbers randomised	Experimental group (n = 15) and Control group (n = 15)	Trial group (n = 10) and Control group (n = 10)	Virtual Reality Therapy (n = 11) and Recreation Therapy (n = 11)
Recruitment	Thirty community-dwelling and ambulatory older adults who were attending the Riverview Health Center Day Hospital for treatment of limitations were recruited to participate in this study	“Seventy-nine hemiparetic patients who had sustained an ABI and were attending a rehabilitation program were potential candidates for participation in this study”	110 potential candidates were screened to participate in EVREST (the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Excercises in Stroke Rehabiritation), and a total of 88 patients were excluded
Numbers analysed	Experimental group (n = 14) and Control group (n = 13)	Trial group (n = 9) and Control group (n = 8)	Virtual Reality Therapy (n = 10) and Recreation Therapy (n = 10) on the primary end point
Outcome	Finding demonstrated significant improvements in posttreatment balance performance scores for both group, and change scores were significantly greater in the experimental group compared with the control group (BBS; P = 0.001, ABC; P = 0.02). No significant treatment effect was observed in either group for the TUG or spatiotemporal gait variables	Patients using eBaViR had a significant improvement in static balance (P = 0.011 in BBS and P = 0.011 in ART) compared to patients who underwent traditional therapy. Regarding dynamic balance, the results showed significant improvement over time in all these measures, but no significant group effect or group-by-time interaction was detected for any of them, which suggest that both groups improved in the same way	Feasibility (time tolerance) and safety (intervention-related adverse event) did not show significant difference between groups. In contrast, the intervention group showed a significant improvement in mean motor function (Wolf Motor Function Test) compared to the control group (-7.4 s; 95%CI: -14.5--0.2)
Harm	No description	No adverse events	No adverse events
Conclusion	Dynamic balance exercises on fixed and compliant sponge surfaces were feasibly coupled to interactive video game-based exercise. This coupling, in turn, resulted in a greater improvement in dynamic standing balance control compared with the typical exercise program. However, there was no transfer of effect to gait function	The results suggest that eBaViR represents a safe and effective alternative to traditional treatment to improve static balance in the ABI population	Virtual reality Wii gaming technology represents a safe, feasible, and potentially effective alternative to facilitate rehabilitation therapy and promote motor recovery after stroke
Trial registration	Clinical Trials.gov (NCT01381237)	No registration	No description
Found	Grant from the Riverview Health Centre Foundation, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: The Fund provided the space at their facility and access to their day hospital program clients for assessment and treatment of the control group	Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia Spain, Projects Consolider-C (SEJ2006-14301/PSIC), “CIBER of Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, an initiative of ISCIII” and the Excellence Research Program PROMETEO	This study was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care through the Ontario Stroke System, administered by Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
Cost of intervention	No description	No description	No description
Ref.	Bauer et al[30]	Adamo et al[31]	Hackney et al[32]
Citation	J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2010; 19: 523-531	Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2010; 35: 805-815	J Rehabil Med 2009; 41: 475-481
Title	Alleviating distress during antepartum hospitalization: a randomized controlled trial of music and recreation therapy	Effects of interactive video game cycling on overweight and obese adolescent health	Effects of dance on movement control in PD: a comparison of Argentine tango and American ballroom
Aim/objective	To examine the efficacy of a single session music or recreation therapy intervention to reduce antepartum-related distress among women with high-risk pregnancies extended antepartum hospitalizations	To examine the efficacy of interactive video game stationary cycling (GameBike) in comparison with stationary cycling to music on adherence, energy expenditure measures, submaximal aerobic fitness, body composition, and cardiovascular disease risk markers in overweight and obese adolescents, using a randomized controlled trial design	To compare the effects of tango, waltz/foxtrot and no intervention on functional motor control in individuals with PD
Setting/place	Midwestern, suburban teaching hospital with a regional Perinatal Center with 26 private rooms on the antepartum unit	The Endocrinology clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario	No description
Participants	Participants (n = 80) were hospitalized with various high-risk obstetric health issues, including preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, preeclampsia, and multiple gestations. They were all over the age of 18 (mean age 31 yr), between 24 and 38 wk of gestation	Thirty obese adolescents between ages of 12-17 yr	Fifty-eight participants with idiopathic PD participated. They were at least 40 yr of age, could stand for at least 30 min, and walk independently for ≥ 3 m with or without an assistive device
Intervention	Participants were received a 1-h music or recreation therapy intervention. Music therapists offered a range of interventions for patients, all within the current standards of care of these therapies, included music-facilitated relaxation, active music listening, song writing, music for bonding, and clinical improvisation. Recreation therapy interventions offered included adaptive leisure activities, creative arts, community resource education, and leisure awareness activities	In the experimental group (interactive video game cycling), participants (n = 15) were required to exercise on a GameBike interactive video gaming system that was interfaced with a Sony Play Station 2. Participants were allowed to select from variety of choices, video games to play while cycling and were permitted to switch games during the exercise session. In control group (stationary cycling to music), participants were allowed to listen to music of their choice via radio, CD, or personal music device. The instructions given participants and the general protocol for this condition was the same as for video game condition. The 10-wk program consisted of twice weekly sessions lasting a maximum of 60 min per session, respectively	The both dance classes were taught by the same instructor who was an experienced professional ballroom dance instructor and an American Council on Exercise certified personal trainer. Those in the dance groups attended 1-h classes twice a week, completing 20 lessons in 13 wk. Both genders spent equal time in leading and following dance roles. Healthy young volunteers, recruited from physical therapy, pre-physical therapy and pre-medical programs at Washington University and St. Louis University, served as dance partners for those with PD. Volunteers were educated about posture and gait problems associated with PD
Main and secondary outcomes	Antepartum Bedrest Emotional Impact Inventory Scores	Adherence, submaximal aerobic fitness (Peak workload,Time to exhaustion,Peak heart rate), exercise behaviour, body composition, and blood parameters	The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Motor Subscale 3 (UPDRS), BBS, TUG, 6MWT, FOG questionnaire, and forward and backward gait (gait velocity, stride length, and single support time)
Randomisation	The groups were assigned by the research coordinator (using a Random Numbers Statistical Table and opaque envelopes containing group membership) to an intervention condition (either a music or recreation therapy) or waitlist control condition	The randomization schedule was computer generated using a basic random number generator	Randomly selecting one of the 3 conditions from a hat
Blinding/masking	Only participants were blinded (single blinding)	No blinding	The first author was not blinded to group assignment. The evaluations were videotaped for a rater who was a specially trained physiotherapy student otherwise not involved in the study (blinded assessor). Participants were not informed of the study hypotheses
Numbers randomised	Music therapy group (n = 19), recreation therapy group (n = 19), and control group (n = 42)	Video game cycling (n = 15) and Music cycling (n = 15)	Waltz/foxtrot (n = 19), Tango (n = 19), and Control (n = 20)
Recruitment	Identified eligible patients through chart review and nursing report during 2003-2005. A total of 136 patients; once enrolled, however, 56 patients were unable to complete the study	Participants were recruited between May 2007 and January 2009 and the final subject assessment was completed in March 2009. A total of 150 families were screened through the Endocrinology clinic at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario to determine Assessed for eligibility. Thirty families me the all inclusion criteria	Participates were recruited from the St. Louis community through advertisement at local support groups and local community events. Most were directly recruited via telephone from the Washington University Movement Disorders Center database
Numbers analysed	Music therapy group (n = 19), recreation therapy group (n = 19), and control group (n = 42)	Video game cycling (n = 13) and Music cycling (n = 13)	Waltz/foxtrot (n = 17), Tango (n = 14), and Control (n = 17)
Outcome	Significant association were found between the delivery of music and recreation therapy and reduction of antepartum-related distress in women hospitalized with high-risk pregnancies. These statistically significant reductions in distress persisted over a period of up to 48-72 h (each P < 0.05)	The music group had a higher rate of attendance compared with the video game group (92% vs 86%, P < 0.05). Time spent in minutes per session at vigorous intensity (80%-100% of predicted peak heart rate) (24.9 ± 20 min vs 13.7 ± 12.8 min, P < 0.05) and average distance (km) pedaled per session (12.5 ± 2.8 km vs 10.2 ± 2.2 km, P < 0.05) also favoured the music group. However, both interventions produced significant improvements in submaximal indicators of aerobic fitness as measured by a graded cycle ergometer protocol	Significant improvements were noted in tango and waltz/foxtrot on the BBS, 6MWT and backward stride length when compared with controls (P < 0.05). Control group worsened significantly with respect to disease severity, as measured by the UPDRS, and on time spent in single support during forward and backward walking
Harm	No description	No adverse events	No description
Conclusion	Single session music and recreation therapy interventions effectively alleviate antepartum-related distress among high-risk women experiencing antepartum hospitalization and should be considered as valuable additions to any comprehensive antepartum program	The results supported the superiority of cycling to music and indicated investing in the more expensive GameBike may not be worth the cost	Tango may target deficits associated with PD more than waltz/foxtrot, but both dances may benefit balance and locomotion
Trial registration	No description	Clinical Trials.gov (NCT00983970)	No description
Found	No description	The Canadian Diabetes Association	The American Parkinson’s Disease Association and NIH grant K01-048437
Cost of intervention	No description	Participants and their families were reimbursed CAN$10 per visit to the laboratory for parking and transportation costs, and the participants were given a CAN$20 movie theatre gift certificate following trial completion	No description
Ref.	Yavuzer et al[33]	Desrosiers et al[34]	Siedliecki et al[4]
Citation	Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2008; 44: 237-244	Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2007; 88: 1095-1100	J Adv Nurs 2006; 54: 553-562
Title	‘’Playstation eyetoy games’’ improve upper extremity-related motor functioning in subacute stroke: a randomized controlled clinical trial	Effect of a home leisure education program after stroke: a randomized controlled trial	Effect of music on power, pain, depression and disability
Aim/objective	To evaluate the effects of “Playstation EyeToy games” on upper extremity motor recovery and upper extremity-related motor functioning of patients with subacute stroke	To evaluate the effect of a leisure education program on participation in and satisfaction with leisure activities (leisure-related outcomes), and well-being, depressive symptoms, and quality of life (primary outcomes) after stroke	To test the effect of music levels of power, pain, depression, and disability; to compare the effect of researcher-provided relaxing music choices with subject-preferred music, selected daily based on self-assessment; and to test the relationship between power and the combined dependent variable of pain, depression and disability
Setting/place	Twenty inpatients with hemiparesis after stroke in rehabilitation center from the general hospital, Turkey	Home and community	Pain clinics and chiropractic office in northeast Ohio, United States
Participants	Twenty hemiparetic inpatients with post-stroke. Eligible criteria: (1) first hemiparesis within 12 mo; (2) Brunnstrom stage 1-4 for upper extremity; and (3) no severe cognitive disorders	Sixty-two people (mean age 70 yr) with stroke	Participation of 60 African American and Caucasian people aged 21-65 yr (mean age 49.7 yr) with chronic non-malignant pain CNMP
Intervention	Both the intervention group and the control group participated in a conventional stroke rehabilitation program, 5 d a week, 2-5 h/d for 4 wk. The conventional program is patient-specific and consists of neurodevelopmental facilitation techniques, physiotherapy, OT, and speech therapy. For the same 4-wk of period, the EyeToy group received an additional 30 min of VR therapy program	The experimental participants (n = 33) received the leisure education program (leisure awareness, self-awareness, and competence development) at home once a week for 8 to 12 wk. The recreational therapist was responsible for the intervention whereas the occupational therapist acted as a consultant. The control participants (n = 29) were also visited by the recreation therapist but the topics discussed were unrelated to leisure (e.g., family, cooking, politics, news, everyday life)	Patterning Music (PM; subject-preferred music) group were asked to select upbeat, familiar, instrumental or vocal music to ease muscle tension and stiffness. Standard Music (SM; researcher-provided music) group were offered a choice of one 60-min relaxing instrumental music tape from a collection of five tapes (piano, jazz, orchestra, harp and synthesizer) used in several music and acute pain studies. Each group received their assigned intervention for 1-h a day for 7 consecutive days. Control group received standard care that did not include music intervention, and all participants kept a diary for 7 d
Main and secondary outcomes	Brunnstrom stages and FIM	Minutes of leisure activity per day, number of leisure activities, the Leisure Satisfaction Scale, the Individualized Leisure Profile, the GWBS, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the SA-SIP30	Power (characterize power: awareness, choices, freedom, and a personal involvement in creating change), pain, depression, and disability
Randomisation	The randomization schedule was computer generated using a basic random number generator	The randomization schedule was computer generated using a basic random number generator	The random allocation sequence using the Min-8 program
Blinding/masking	Assessor was blinded to the group allocation of the subject. Patients and physical therapist were not blinded	Only assessor was blinded	No description
Numbers randomised	Intervention group (n = 10) and Control group (n = 10)	Experimental participants (n = 33) and Control participants (n = 29)	PM group (n = 18), SM group (n = 22), and Control group (n = 20)
Recruitment	“Inpatients with hemiparesis after stroke”	A total of 62 people entered the trial carried out in 2002 and 2003. Authors recruited them after a review of medical charts of people (n = 230) who were previously admitted with stroke to a rehabilitation or acute care facility up to 5 yr before the study	64 patients with CNMP was recruited over a 24-mo period from 2001 to 2003 from pain clinics and a chiropractic office in northeast Ohio
Numbers analysed	Intervention group (n = 10) and Control group (n = 10)	Experimental participants (n = 29) and Control participants (n = 27)	PM group (n = 18), SM group (n = 22), and Control group (n = 20),
Outcome	The mean change score (95%CI) of the FIM self-care score [(5.5 (2.9-8.0) vs 1.8 (0.1-3.7), P = 0.018] showed significantly more improvement in the EyeToy group compared to the control group. No significant differences were found between the groups for the Brunnstrom stages for hand and upper extremity	There was a statistically significant difference in change scores between the groups for satisfaction with leisure with a mean difference of 11.9 points (95%CI: 4.2-19.5) and participation in active leisure with a mean difference of 14.0 min (95%CI: 3.2-24.9). There was also a statistically significant difference between groups for improvement in depressive symptoms with a mean difference of -7.2 (95%CI: -12.5--1.9). Differences between groups were not statistically significant on the SA-SIP30 (0.2; 95%CI: -1.3-1.8) and GWBS (2.2; 95%CI: -5.6-10.0)	The music groups had more power and less pain (P = 0.002), depression (P = 0.001) and disability (P = 0.024) than the control group, but there were no statistically significant differences between the two music interventions. The model predicting both a direct and indirect effect for music was supported
Harm	No adverse events	No description	No description
Conclusion	“Playstation EyeToy Games” combined with a conventional stroke rehabilitation program have a potential to enhance upper extremity-related motor functioning in subacute stroke patients	The results indicate the effectiveness of the leisure education program for improving participation in leisure activities, improving satisfaction with leisure and reducing depression in people with stroke	Nurses can help patients with CNMP identify and use music they enjoy as a self-administered complementary intervention to facilitate feelings of power, and to decrease perceptions of pain, depression and disability
Trial registration	No description	No description	No description
Found	No description	The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (MOP-49526)	The Frances Payne Bolton Alumni Association, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Ohio; Sigma Theta Tau, Delta Omega Research Grant; NRSA (NINR; NIH#1F31nro7565)
Cost of intervention	No description	No description	No description
Ref.	Fitzsimmons[5]	Parker et al[6]
Citation	J Gerontol Nurs 2001; 27: 14-23	Clin Rehabil 2001; 15: 42-52
Title	Easy rider wheelchair biking. A nursing-recreation therapy clinical trial for the treatment of depression	A multicentre randomized controlled trial of leisure therapy and conventional occupational therapy after stroke. TOTAL Study Group. Trial of Occupational Therapy and Leisure
Aim/objective	To determine if participation in a therapy biking program had an effect on the degree of depression in older adults living in a long-term facility in upstate New York	To evaluate the effects of leisure therapy and conventional OT on the mood, leisure participation and independence in ADL of stroke patients 6 and 12 mo after hospital discharge
Setting/place	The New York State Home for Veterans (Veterans’ Home)	Five UK centres: Aintree Fazakerley Hospital, Bristol Southmead Hospital, Edinburgh Western General Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Nottingham University Hospital
Participants	Thirty-nine older adults (mean age 80 yr) with depression living a long-term facility	Four hundred and sixty-six stroke patients (mean age 72 yr)
Intervention	Ease rider Program (Therapy program) intervention. The experimental groups received the therapeutic biking program for 1 h a day, 5 d a week, for 2 wk	Two treatment groups (ADL group and Lisure group) received OT interventions at home for up to 6 mo after recruitment. The protocol specified a minimum of 10 sessions lasting not less than 30 min each. The treatment goals set in the ADL group were in term of improving independence in self-care tasks and therefore treatment involved practising these task (such as preparing a meal or walking outdoor). For the leisure group, goals were set in term of leisure activity and so interventions included practising the leisure task as well as any ADL tasks necessary achieve the leisure objective. Control group received no OT treatment within the trial
Main and secondary outcomes	The short-form Geriatric Depression Scale	For mood, the GHQ/For leisure activity, the Nottingham Leisure Questionnaire/For independence in ADL, the Nottingham Extended ADL Scale
Randomisation	No description	The Collaborative Stroke Audit and Research telephone randomization service was used to allocate patients to one of three group: leisure, ADL and control
Blinding/masking	No description	Only participants were blinded
Numbers randomised	Treatment group (n = 20) and Control group (n = 20)	Leisure group (n = 153), ADL group (n = 156), and Control group (n = 157)
Recruitment	The target population (n = 90) was residents with a diagnosis of or symptoms of depression in the New York State Home for Veterans	Recruitment was conducted at five UK centres: Aintree Fazakerley Hospital, Bristol Southmead Hospital, Edinburgh Western General Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Nottingham University Hospital. 1750 patients was registered
Numbers analysed	Treatment group (n = 19) and Control group (n = 20)	Leisure group (n = 113), ADL group (n = 106), and Control group (n = 112)
Outcome	The control groups' GDS pretest means of 7.95 increased slightly at the posttest to 8.65, indicating a slight increase (+0.70) in depression. The treatment groups' pretest 7.68 decreased to 4.21 (-3.47) at the posttest, denoting a marked decrease in depression (P < 0.001)	At 6 mo and compared to the control group, those allocated to leisure therapy had nonsignificantly better GHQ scores (-1.2: 95%CI: -2.9-0.5), leisure scores (+0.7: 95%CI: -1.1-2.5) and Extended ADL scores (+0.4: 95%CI: -3.8-4.5): the ADL group had nonsignificantly better GHQ scores (-0.1: 95%CI: -1.8-1.7) and Extended ADL scores (-1.4: 95%CI: -2.9-5.6) and nonsignificantly worse leisure scores (-0.3: 95%CI: -2.1-1.6). The results at 12 mo were similar
Harm	No adverse events	No description
Conclusion	This study contributes to the body of knowledge of nursing regarding options for the treatment of depression in older adults, and is an encouraging that psychosocial interventions may be effective in reducing depression	In contrast to the findings of previous smaller trials, neither of the additional OT treatments showed a clear beneficial effect on mood, leisure activity or independence in ADL measured at 6 or 12 mo
Trial registration	No description	No description
Found	The NewYork State Dementia Research Grant 2000	NHS Research and Development Programme
Cost of intervention	The cost of a basic bike is approximately $3600 plus shiping	No description

ABI: Acquired brain injury; PD: Parkinson’s disease; BBS: Berg Balance Scale; RT: Recreational therapy; MMSE: Mini-Mental State Examination; TUG: Timed “Up and Go” Test; ABC: Activities-specific Balance Condidence Scale; ART: Anterior Reach Test; 6MWT: 6-min walk test; CNMP: Chronic non-malignant pain; OT: Occupational therapy; GWBS: General Well-Being Schedule; SA-SIP30: Stroke-Adapted Sickness Impact Profile; FIM: Functional Independence Measure; ADL: Activities of daily living; GHQ: General Health Questionnaire.