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Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to collect preliminary data to assess whether participation in adaptive video gaming using a pneumatic sip-and-puff video game controller may provide respiratory or health benefits for individuals with cervical-level spinal cord injuries.
Methods
A survey was anonymously distributed to potential participants and consisted of four sections: (1) General Information, (2) Gaming Habits, (3) Respiratory Quality of Life, and (4) Impact of Adaptive Video Gaming on Respiratory Health.
Results
The study included 124 individuals with cervical-level spinal cord injuries. Participants had primarily positive self-rated health and good respiratory quality of life. Nearly half of the participants (47.6%) Agreed or Strongly Agreed that their breathing control has improved after using their sip-and-puff gaming controller and 45.2% Agreed or Strongly Agreed that their respiratory health has improved. Individuals who Agreed or Strongly Agreed that adaptive video gaming has improved their breathing control also reported a significantly higher level of exertion while gaming compared to those who did not Agree or Strongly Agree (p = 0.00029).
Conclusions
It is possible that there are respiratory benefits of using sip-and-puff video game controllers for individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries. The benefits reported by users were found to be dependent on their level of exertion while playing video games. Further exploration in this area is needed due to the positive benefits reported by participants.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Pneumatic sip-and-puff video game controllers are now available for individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries allowing them to play video games using their respiratory function.
For individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries, respiratory function is an important component to overall health and quality of life.
This study shows that pneumatic sip-and-puff video game controllers may provide respiratory benefits to participant with cervical spinal cord injuries.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Fred Davison for his help with this study. We would also like to thank the adaptive gaming community for their continued support.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Data availability statement
The data sets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request under institutional restrictions.