Evaluation of dual-task performance with Nintendo Wii-Fit plus in children with specific learning disabilities

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate postural stability with Nintendo Wii-Fit Plus in children with special learning disabilities (SLD) and also to investigate the effect of simultaneous cognitive and motor tasks on postural stability. Methods The study included 70 children (35 children with SLD and 35 children age-matched normal development). All children were assessed for stability on Nintendo Wii-Fit Plus platform on one-leg stance (OLS). Postural stability percentages were calculated by asking for cognitive and motor tasks simultaneously with the task of standing on OLS. Results Children with SLD were found to have poor postural stability scores in comparison with children with normal development with Nintendo Wii-Fit Plus (p < .05). Compared to single task performance in both study and control groups; it was found that the addition of a motor task impaired postural stability, while it was observed that the addition of a cognitive task only affected postural stability in the control group (p < .05). Conclusion Postural stability in children with SLD was found to be worse than normal children. Although the addition of concurrent motor task with postural control disrupted postural stability in both normal and SLD children, it was determined that the effect of dual task was more significant in children with SLD. While the addition of cognitive task did not affect the postural stability of children with SLD, the postural stability of normal children was observed to be affected. While performing postural control evaluations of children with SLD, not only posture task but also cognitive and motor dual task performances should be evaluated.