title: Movement-Based VR Gameplay Therapy For A Child With Cerebral Palsy.
abstract: This paper presents a single-subject feasibility study of a motion-based VR game designed to provide benefits similar to constraint-induced movement therapy for children with cerebral palsy, while providing a more enjoyable experience. The game was designed to encourage the child to perform the desired therapeutic movements by allowing him to interact with the game using only his more-affected arm. The study used an AB design: Performance across baseline and intervention phases was assessed to determine whether the intervention resulted in changes to repeated measures. Results of the study showed that compared with baseline measurements done prior to his game experience, the participant's post-intervention performance showed improvement in speed of reach, dissociated movement, and bilateral integration of upper extremities in functional tasks. The child's mother, as well as one of his therapists, reported better performance outside of the study environment as well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, Ithaca College, Ithaca NY.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stansfield
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY.
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Larin
authors.affiliation: MS OTR/L, CoreMedical Group.
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010989:Play Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D018910:Video Games; D063367:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy / Q000379:methods*