title: Task-specific rehabilitation of finger-hand function using interactive computer gaming.
abstract: The present case study assessed the feasibility of using an interactive gaming system, coupled with the manipulation of common objects, as a form of repetitive, task-specific movement therapy. Three adults with moderate chronic motor impairments of the fingers and hand participated: one 36-year-old man with an incomplete cervical spinal cord injury, one 60-year-old man with a left cortical cerebro-vascular accident, and one 38-year-old woman with left hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Each subject received an intervention of 15 one-hour sessions, which consisted solely of interactive exercise gaming using a diverse range of objects. The objects provided graded and challenging training levels, which emulated the functional properties of objects used in daily life. This in turn produced positive effects on the recovery of active finger range of motion and hand function.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. ptsturm@cc.umanitoba.ca
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Szturm
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Otto
authors.forename: Naaz
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kapadia
authors.forename: Ankur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006225:Hand; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D018910:Video Games