Technology-supported Motor Rehabilitation for People With Rett Syndrome

Technology-supported Motor Rehabilitation for People With Rett Syndrome (TeMoRett) Sub-project: Psychophysiological Personalization of the Technology-supported Motor Rehabilitation for People With Rett Syndrome

This study focuses on improving purposeful arm use while simultaneously reducing engagement in stereotypies. It is typically expected that the training period for this study will last about 6 months. The first half of the training periods will be devoted to learning to separate hands to stop the stereotypies that interfere with arm and hand use. In this first half, participants will also need to learn to keep arms apart in order to be actively involved in the chosen game. The second half of the training period will be devoted to learning to stop stereotypies and reach for targets that are intended to start game play. When not touching the targets, the software will interpret that the game should stop and wait for the next target to be touched.

Baseline measurements taken at start of study. Training occurs for separation tasks for the first 13 weeks, with four 15-min sessions running per week. To gradually improve in ability to control gaming with arms/hands, each participant has the option of trying 13 levels or challenges on the extent of separation (how far apart hands can be taken.) Training occurs for the final 13 weeks for reaching tasks. Here, the participant must separate hands and reach for a defined target in order to initiate game play. These sessions will also last 15 minutes each and four sessions will be required per week.

At the conclusion of the 26 weeks of training, the measurements of functional arm/hand use, and other behavioral measurements taken at Baseline will be repeated and compared to Baseline to assist in determining the success of the gaming used to train purposeful and functional arm use.

Inclusion Criteria:

• dx of Rett syndrome
• functional range of motion of both arms
• no seizures or seizures managed with medication
• understanding cause and effect
• midline stereotypies

Exclusion Criteria:

• no competing orthopedic or neuromuscular diagnosis that impacts shoulder movements