Bilateral Upper-Limb Rehabilitation After Stroke Using a Movement-Based Game Controller
By Hijmans, Juha M.; Hale, Leigh A.; Satherley, Jessica A.; McMillan, Nicole J.; King, Marcus J.; Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Volume 48, Number 8, pages 1005-1014Publication Date: 2011
Study determined the effectiveness of a bilateral, self-supported upper limb rehabilitation intervention using a movement based game controller for people with chronic stroke. Participants were 5 women and 9 men with chronic stroke aged 47 to 85 years. Participants received a control treatment, followed by a washout period, and then the intervention. The intervention comprised playing computer games with the CyWee Z, a movement based game controller similar to the Nintendo Wii remote. The CyWee Z was incorporated into a handlebar, making bilateral exercises possible by allowing the unaffected side to support and assist the affected side. The intervention lasted for 8 to 10 sessions of 45 to 60 minutes over a period of 2.5 weeks. Primary outcome measure was the Fugl-Meyer Assessment upper-limb section (FMA-UL), while the Wolf Motor Function Test and the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand outcome measure were used as secondary outcomes. Postintervention, motor performance as measured by the FMA-UL was significantly improved compared with all preintervention assessments, whereas no changes were found on both secondary outcomes. Based on study results, it can be concluded that upper limb motor performance of adults with chronic stroke improves with repetitive, game assisted, self-supported bilateral exercises.
Published by:
VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Service (Web Site: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov )
Link to text: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/11/488/hijmans488.html
