Effectiveness of commercial video gaming on fine motor control in chronic stroke within community-level rehabilitation

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2015

Publication Title

Disability and Rehabilitation

Volume

37

Issue

23

First Page

2184

Keywords

Activities of Daily Living, adult, aged, chronic disease, Community, computer interface, convalescence, daily life activity, demography, female, gaming, human, Humans, male, motor performance, Motor Skills, pathophysiology, physiology, psychology, psychomotor performance, Quality of life, Recovery of Function, Residence Characteristics, stroke, treatment outcome, upper extremity, upper limb, User-Computer Interface, video game, Video Games, virtual reality

Last Page

2191

DOI

10.3109/09638288.2014.1002574

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of commercial gaming as an intervention for fine motor recovery in chronic stroke. Methods: Ten chronic phase post-stroke participants (mean time since CVA = 39 mos; mean age = 72 yrs) completed a 16-session program using the Nintendo Wii for 15 min two times per week with their more affected hand (10 right handed). Functional recovery (Jebsen Hand Function Test (JHFT), Box and Block Test (BBT), Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT)), and quality of life (QOL; Stroke Impact Scale (SIS)) were measured at baseline (pre-testing), after 8 sessions (mid-testing) and after 16 sessions (post-testing). Results: Significant improvements were found with the JHFT, BBT and NHPT from pre-testing to post-testing (p = 0.03, p = 0.03, p = 0.01, respectively). As well, there was an increase in perceived QOL from pre-testing to post-testing, as determined by the SIS (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Commercial gaming may be a viable resource for those with chronic stroke. Future research should examine the feasibility of this as a rehabilitation tool for this population.Implications for RehabilitationStroke survivors often live with lasting effects from their injury, however, those with chronic stroke generally receive little to no rehabilitation due to a perceived motor recovery plateau.Virtual reality in the form of commercial gaming is a novel and motivating way for clients to complete rehabilitation.The Nintendo Wii may be a feasible device to improve both functional ability and perceived quality of life in chronic stroke survivors. © 2015 Informa UK Ltd.

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