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

Abstract Objective To 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. Design Quantitative clinical study using a cross-sectional design. Setting Orthopedic clinic of a private hospital. Participants ACLR 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. Interventions Participants performed double-limb squats while standing on 2 NWBBs, 1 under each foot. Main Outcome Measures The 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. Results Significant ( P