Wrist range of motion and motion frequency during toy and game play with a joint-specific controller specially designed to provide neuromuscular therapy: A proof of concept study in typically developing children.
Upper extremities affected by hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) and other neuromuscular disorders have been demonstrated to benefit from therapy, and the greater the duration of the therapy, the greater the benefit. A great motivator for participating in and extending the duration of therapy with children is play. Our focus is on active motion therapy of the wrist and forearm. In this study we examine the wrist motions associated with playing with two toys and three computer games controlled by a specially-designed play controller. Twenty children (ages 5-11) with no diagnosis of a muscular disorder were recruited. The play controller was fitted to the wrist and forearm of each child and used to measure and log wrist flexion and extension. Play activity and enjoyment were quantified by average wrist range of motion (ROM), motion frequency measures, and a discrete visual scale. We found significant differences in the average wrist ROM and motion frequency among the toys and games, yet there were no differences in the level of enjoyment across all toys and games, which was high. These findings indicate which toys and games may elicit the greater number of goal-directed movements, and lay the foundation for our long-term goal to develop and evaluate innovative motion-specific play controllers that are engaging rehabilitative devices for enhancing therapy and promoting neural plasticity and functional recovery in children with CP.
Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, 1 Hoppin Street, CORO West, Suite 404, Providence, RI 02903, United States. Electronic address: joseph_crisco@brown.edu.
Joseph J
JJ
Crisco
Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, 1 Hoppin Street, CORO West, Suite 404, Providence, RI 02903, United States.
Joel B
JB
Schwartz
Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, 1 Hoppin Street, CORO West, Suite 404, Providence, RI 02903, United States.
Bethany
B
Wilcox
Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, 1 Hoppin Street, CORO West, Suite 404, Providence, RI 02903, United States.
Holly
H
Brideau
Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, 1 Hoppin Street, CORO West, Suite 404, Providence, RI 02903, United States.
Benjamin
B
Basseches
Department of Pediatrics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, United States.
Karen
K
Kerman
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018910:Video Games; D014953:Wrist / Q000503:physiopathology; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*
Cerebral palsy; Games; Pediatrics; Therapy; Toys