Article

Challenges with any therapeutic program for children include the
level of the child's engagement or adherence. Capitalizing on one of the primary
learning avenues of children, play, the approach described in this article is to
develop therapeutic toy and game controllers that require specific and repetitive
joint movements to trigger toy/game activation.
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate a specially designed wrist flexion and extension play controller
in a cohort of children with upper extremity motor impairments (UEMIs). The aim
was to understand the relationship among controller play activity, measures of
wrist and forearm range of motion (ROM) and spasticity, and ratings of fun and
difficulty. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study of 21 children (12 male, 9
female; 4-12 years of age) with UEMIs. METHODS: All children participated in a
structured in-clinic play session during which measurements of spasticity and ROM
were collected. The children were fitted with the controller and played with 2
toys and 2 computer games for 5 minutes each. Wrist flexion and extension motion
during play was recorded and analyzed. In addition, children rated the fun and
difficulty of play. RESULTS: Flexion and extension goal movements were repeatedly
achieved by children during the play session at an average frequency of 0.27 Hz.
At this frequency, 15 minutes of play per day would result in approximately 1,700
targeted joint motions per week. Play activity was associated with ROM measures,
specifically supination, but toy perception ratings of enjoyment and difficulty
were not correlated with clinical measures. LIMITATIONS: The reported results may
not be representative of children with more severe UEMIs. CONCLUSIONS: These
outcomes indicate that the therapeutic controllers elicited repetitive goal
movements and were adaptable, enjoyable, and challenging for children of varying
ages and UEMIs.
CI - (c) 2016 American Physical Therapy Association.

Langue : ANGLAIS