title: Game-based exercises for dynamic short-sitting balance rehabilitation of people with chronic spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Goal-oriented, task-specific training has been shown to improve function; however, it can be difficult to maintain patient interest. This report describes a rehabilitation protocol for the maintenance of balance in a short-sitting position following spinal cord and head injuries by use of a center-of-pressure-controlled video game-based tool. The scientific justification for the selected treatment is discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three adults were treated: 1 young adult with spina bifida (T10 and L1-L2), 1 middle-aged adult with complete paraplegia (complete lesion at T11-L1), and 1 middle-aged adult with traumatic brain injury. All patients used wheelchairs full-time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients showed increased motivation to perform the game-based exercises and increased dynamic short-sitting balance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patients exhibited increases in practice volume and attention span during training with the game-based tool. In addition, they demonstrated substantial improvements in dynamic balance control. These observations indicate that a video game-based exercise approach can have a substantial positive effect by improving dynamic short-sitting balance.
authors: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
authors: Aimee L
authors: AL
authors: Betker
authors: Ankur
authors: A
authors: Desai
authors: Cristabel
authors: C
authors: Nett
authors: Naaz
authors: N
authors: Kapadia
authors: Tony
authors: T
authors: Szturm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D018910:Video Games