Table 4. Pre- and post-intervention differences for the 8 subtests of the SF-36v2™ in each group

Hypofrontality is a state of decreased cerebral blood
flow in the prefrontal cortex during executive function
performance; it is commonly observed in patients with schizophrenia. Cognitive
dysfunction, as well as the psychological symptoms of schizophrenia, influences
the ability of patients to reintegrate into society. The current study
investigated the effects of an interactive sports video game (IVG; Nintendo
Wii™ Sports Resort) on frontal lobe function of patients with schizophrenia. A
sample of eight patients (6 male and 2 female; mean age = 46.7 years, standard
deviation (SD) = 13.7) engaged in an IVG every week for 3 months in a controlled,
single-blind, crossover study. Before and after the intervention we examined
frontal lobe blood-flow volume using functional near-infrared spectroscopy
(fNIRS), and assessed functional changes using the Frontal Assessment Battery, Health-Related
Quality of Life scale, and behaviorally-assessed physical
function tests. fNIRS revealed that prefrontal activity during IVG performance
significantly increased in the IVG period compared with the control period.
Furthermore, significant correlations between cerebral blood flow changes in different
channels were observed during IVG performance. In addition, we observed
intervention-related improvement in health-related quality of life following IVG.
IVG intervention was associated with increased prefrontal cortex activation and
improved health-related quality of life performance in patients with
schizophrenia. Patients with chronic schizophrenia are characterized by
withdrawal and a lack of social responsiveness or interest in others.
Interventions using IVG may provide a useful low-cost rehabilitation method for
such patients, without the need for specialized equipment.