title: Pilot study: Computer-based virtual anatomical interactivity for rehabilitation of individuals with chronic acquired brain injury.
abstract: Deficiencies in upper-limb motor function and executive functioning can compromise an affected individual's ability to complete everyday activities. Impaired motor and executive functioning therefore pose a risk to increasing numbers of veterans who have been diagnosed with acquired brain injury. This article reports on changes in upper-limb motor function and executive functioning of 12 adult participants with chronic acquired brain injury using a novel, computer-based, motor and cognitive rehabilitation program called PreMotor Exercise Games (PEGs). Manual muscle, goniometric range of motion, and dynamometer assessments were used to determine motor functioning while the Executive Function Performance Test measured cognitive functioning. A three-level repeated measures design was conducted to determine changes pre- and postintervention. Participants demonstrated significant improvement in shoulder (p = 0.01) and wrist (p = 0.01) range of motion and clinically relevant improvement for elbow range of motion. Participants demonstrated clinically relevant improvement in shoulder, elbow, and wrist strength. Finally, participants demonstrated significant improvement in executive functioning (p < 0.05). Using PEGs as a modality for both motor and cognitive intervention is a potentially beneficial adjunct to rehabilitation and warrants further study.
authors.affiliation: Salem State University, 352 Lafayette St, Salem, MA 01970-5353. csimmons@salemstate.edu.
authors.forename: C Douglas
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: Sajay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arthanat
authors.forename: Vincent J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Macri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059167:Mirror Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D018910:Video Games; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: PreMotor Exercise Games; acquired brain injury; community health; executive 
  functioning; motor control; motor imagery; motor relearning; neurological rehabilitation; stroke; virtual rehabilitation