BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Goal-oriented, task-specific training has been shown to improve function; however, it can be difficult to maintain patient interest. This report describes a rehabilitation protocol for the maintenance of balance in a short-sitting position following spinal cord and head injuries by use of a center-of-pressure-controlled video game-based tool. The scientific justification for the selected treatment is discussed. CASE DESCRIPTION: Three adults were treated: 1 young adult with spina bifida (T10 and L1-L2), 1 middle-aged adult with complete paraplegia (complete lesion at T11-L1), and 1 middle-aged adult with traumatic brain injury. All patients used wheelchairs full-time. OUTCOMES: The patients showed increased motivation to perform the game-based exercises and increased dynamic short-sitting balance. DISCUSSION: The patients exhibited increases in practice volume and attention span during training with the game-based tool. In addition, they demonstrated substantial improvements in dynamic balance control. These observations indicate that a video game-based exercise approach can have a substantial positive effect by improving dynamic short-sitting balance.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Goal-oriented, task-specific training has been shown to improve function; however, it can be difficult to maintain patient interest. This report describes a rehabilitation protocol for the maintenance of balance in a short-sitting position following spinal cord and head injuries by use of a center-of-pressure-controlled video game-based tool. The scientific justification for the selected treatment is discussed. CASE DESCRIPTION: Three adults were treated: 1 young adult with spina bifida (T10 and L1-L2), 1 middle-aged adult with complete paraplegia (complete lesion at T11-L1), and 1 middle-aged adult with traumatic brain injury. All patients used wheelchairs full-time. OUTCOMES: The patients showed increased motivation to perform the game-based exercises and increased dynamic short-sitting balance. DISCUSSION: The patients exhibited increases in practice volume and attention span during training with the game-based tool. In addition, they demonstrated substantial improvements in dynamic balance control. These observations indicate that a video game-based exercise approach can have a substantial positive effect by improving dynamic short-sitting balance.
Authors: Laura Teeter; Julie Gassaway; Sally Taylor; Jacqueline LaBarbera; Shari McDowell; Deborah Backus; Jeanne M Zanca; Audrey Natale; Jordan Cabrera; Randall J Smout; Scott E D Kreider; Gale Whiteneck Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2012-11 Impact factor: 1.985