Clinic-Based Assessment of Weight-Bearing Asymmetry During Squatting in People With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Nintendo Wii Balance Boards

ObjectiveTo use low-cost Nintendo Wii Balance Boards (NWBB) to assess weight-bearing asymmetry (WBA) in people who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and to compare their results with a matched control group.DesignQuantitative clinical study using a cross-sectional design.SettingOrthopedic clinic of a private hospital.ParticipantsACLR participants (n=41; mean age ± SD, 26.0±9.8y; current Cincinnati sports activity level, 75.3±19.8) performed testing in conjunction with their routine 6- or 12-month clinical follow-up, and a control group (n=41) was matched for age, height, body mass, and physical activity level.InterventionsParticipants performed double-limb squats while standing on 2 NWBBs, 1 under each foot.Main Outcome MeasuresThe WBA variables mean mass difference as a percentage of body mass, time favoring a single limb by >5% body mass, absolute symmetry index, and symmetry index relative to the operated or matched control limb were derived. Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to assess between-group differences.ResultsSignificant (P<.05) increases in asymmetry in the ACLR group were found for all outcome measures except symmetry index relative to the operated limb.ConclusionsPeople who have undergone ACLR are likely to possess WBA during squats, and this can be assessed using low-cost NWBBs in a clinical setting. Interestingly, the observed asymmetry was not specific to the surgical limb. Future research is needed to assess the relationship between WBA early in the rehabilitation process and long-term outcomes.