Biofeedback-enhanced Interactive Computer-play for Youth With Cerebral Palsy

Biofeedback-enhanced Interactive Computer-play for Youth With Cerebral Palsy: a Feasibility Pilot Study Measuring the Effect of Play on Wrist and Hand Activity

The protocol aims to evaluate the feasibility and potential efficacy of an Interactive Computer Play (ICP) intervention. The ICP intervention is built to help youth with Cerebral palsy (CP) who have difficulty performing activities of daily living with their hand.

The ICP intervention is a video game controlled by performing gestures with the non-dominant hand. Using Low-cost commercial technology muscle activity and arm movement is used to recognize the gestures which control the game. Players will get feedback in the game about the quality of their movements through the built-in points and rewards system. This repetitive practice and feedback will help the participants build strength and control in their arm. To evaluate this ICP intervention, 10 participants, with hemiplegic CP and 8-18 years old, from Holland Bloorview will be recruited for a pilot feasibility study using a single-case experimental design (SCED). The design is as follows:

1. Phase 1. Participants will speak with therapists / researchers in an Initial Dialogue to:

   1. Introduce the study/game and what it offers types of daily activities
   2. Set Performance goal areas (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)), and
   3. Develop an action plan to facilitate the successful achievement of their goals.

2. Phase 2. Participants will perform baseline functional assessments including: active range of motion (AROM), Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA), Box and Blocks Test (B&B).

3. Phase 3. During the 4-week intervention, participants will play the ICP game from their home according to the goals they define during the initial dialogue. This is expected to be 20-30 min * 5 days per week. Once per week, participants will play the ICP intervention with a researcher in clinic or at home who will also measure AROM while recording the play session.

4. Phase 4. After the intervention, participants will complete clinical measures of functional performance (AROM, AHA, B&B) a final time and speak with therapist and researcher to re-evaluate goals (COPM).

By leveraging the motivational and immersive aspects of ICP and combining it with evidence-based movement feedback this protocol has the potential to improve home-based ICP therapies for persons with CP.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Clinical diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy.
2. Age: 8-18 years. This age range was selected given the popularity of video games and the size of the muscle sensors available.
3. Manual Abilities Classification System levels I-III.
4. Have a goal relating to improving hand / wrist function.
5. Dominantly spastic presentation
6. Able to co-operate, understand, and follow simple instructions for game play. This will be assessed during the information and assent process by the researcher.
7. Having passive ROM of at least 10° greater than AROM.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of unmanaged epilepsy. Video game systems are not recommended for individuals with a history of epilepsy as per manufacturer's Health and Safety Precautions.
2. Has received a Botulinum Toxin treatment within 3 months or constraint-based movement therapy within 6 months of the study enrollment.
3. Visual, cognitive or auditory disability at a level that would interfere with game play. The child must have normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing.
4. Dominantly dystonic presentation
5. Unable to commit an estimated minimum of 10 hours to their training plan over four weeks.