Studies have shown that the popular video game, Dance Dance
Revolution (DDR), which requires players to coordinate their
movements to the beat of music, may help improve balance and
mobility in certain patient populations. Now, researchers at The
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are the first to
test the game's ability to help decrease the cognitive and
physical effects of multiple sclerosis (MS). An estimated 2.1
million people have multiple sclerosis (MS), an incurable
inflammatory disease which progressively impairs nerve function
in the brain and spinal cord. While studies with the elderly and
Parkinson's patients have shown exercise can slow cognitive
decline and improve coordination, similar information is lacking
for patients with MS, leaving clinicians without data to help
guide prescription of exercise programs. "The video dancing game
provides a good platform for our research because it addresses
multiple issues that MS clinicians and patients face. We think
our data will not only help do