Training of goal directed arm movements with motion interactive video games in children with cerebral palsy – A kinematic evaluation

Abstract

Objective: The main aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of goal-directed arm movements in 15 children with cerebral palsy (CP) following four weeks of home-based training with motion interactive video games. A further aim was to investigate the applicability and characteristics of kinematic parameters in a virtual context in comparison to a physical context.

Method: Kinematics and kinetics were captured while the children performed arm movements directed towards both virtual and physical targets.

Results: The children’s movement precision improved, their centre of pressure paths decreased, as did the variability in maximal shoulder angles when reaching for virtual objects. Transfer to a situation with physical targets was mainly indicated by increased movement smoothness.

Conclusion: Training with motion interactive games seems to improve arm motor control in children with CP. The results highlight the importance of considering both the context and the task itself when investigating kinematic parameters.

• Kinetics
• motor control
• paediatric
• rehabilitation
• task context
• virtual reality

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all children and parents who participated in this study, and Kolbäcken Child Rehabilitation Centre, Umeå, Sweden. Our gratitude also goes to Monika Edström for skilful help in the lab, and to Dr Hans Stenlund for valuable statistical consultations. This study was supported by Vårdalinstitutet – The Swedish Institute for Health Sciences, the foundations of JC Kempe, Sven Jerring, Muskelfond Norr, and the Queen Silvia Jubilee Fund for research on children and disability.