Wii-habilitation of arm and hand Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy, an explorative study.

Rationale:

Impaired upper extremity function is the main problem for half of the children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy with unilateral hemiparese and contributes significantly to difficulties in performing activities of daily living. Typical therapy uses purposeful activity and task-specific training to improve motor function and independence. There are several potential advantages of Virtual reality (VR) en exercise gaming for rehabilitation. VR facilitates real time performance feedback, safety, independent training, a capacity to increase the complexity of tasks, and it can record advantages. The most import and strength to therapy is the ability of VR to provide a motivational and fun therapy.



Objectives:

The primary objective of this explorative study is to evaluate the training effect on the upper extremity function in children with Cerebral Palsy using the Wii computer, which is a Virtual Reality intervention. The secondary objective is to evaluate the user satisfaction and usability of WiiTM computer training for the user and the health professional.



Design:

In this explorative study, a multiple baseline design is used to examine individual changes in arm function after training with a WiiTM computer. This study consists of two pre- and one post training primairy outcome measurements of functional aspects of upper extremity movements. The Children will attend 12 , half an hour, sessions in total. 2 times a week for 6 Weeks. After the intervention the secondary outcome measurements will be obtained.



Study population:

Ten children with spastic cerebral palsy will participate in the study. They will be recruited from the regional rehabilitation centre “Het Roessingh” (Enschede, The Netherlands), where children with physical disabilities are treated during school-time.



Endpoints:

Primary endpoints: The Assisting Hand Assessment; Melbourne Assessment; ABILHAND- Kids.

Secondary endpoints: User Satisfaction Questionnaire; Health professional usability questionnaire.

The primary objective of this explorative study is to evaluate the training effect on the upper extremity function in children with Cerebral Palsy using the Wii computer, which is a Virtual Reality intervention.

The secondary objective is to evaluate the user satisfaction and usability of WiiTM computer training for the user and the health professional.

1. Basiline = primary outcome measurements;

2. Two weeks no training;

3. T1= primary outcome measurements;

4. 6 weeks intervention;

5. T2 = primary outcome measurements + secundary outcome measurements.

30 minute with Wii exercise games 2 times a week for 6 weeks.