Case Report
Feasibility of Pediatric Game-Based Neurorehabilitation Using Telehealth Technologies: A Case Report
Reifenberg G, Gabrosek G, Tanner K, Harpster K Proffitt R & Persch A
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71 7103190040
DOI: doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017.024976
Objective: Feasibility of and suitable outcome measures for distance-monitored video game rehabilitation.
Process: A child with hemiparetic spastic cerebral palsy played 7 hours weekly for 8 weeks of computer games monitored at a distance by a therapist via videoconference technology KUBI The setup permitted the remote therapist to move their camera (iPad) to see the child and the child’s position. The distance therapist consulted with child and parents 30 minutes each week for technical issues.
The outcome measures that were expected to detect change before and after the test condition were: Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST), Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency 2 Ed.(BOT-2), Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA), Pediatric Evaluation and Disability Inventory-Computer Adapted Test (PEDI-CAT) and Pediatric Motor Activity Log (PMAL). Pre- and post- tests were applied two weeks before and after the game sessions.
Findings: Feasibility – the audio quality was sufficient for the therapist to interact with the child and family, and the video quality allowed the therapist to see the child’s activity without seeing the TV monitor. There were no insurmountable technical issues though this subject and family were familiar with the technologies used and so this case did not represent a truly novel situation.
Measures – All the measures were sensitive to change in the child’s performance before and after the test condition except the QUEST.
“The use of telehealth technologies provides practitioners with a mechanism to supervise treatments for clients in underserved communities. This research provides initial evidence that it is feasible to administer game-based neurorehabilitation and telehealth technologies and monitor relevant outcomes.”