Playing videogames ‘improves hand function of teens with cerebral palsy’
January 13th, 2010 - 1:42 pm ICT by ANIWashington, January 13 (ANI): Custom videogames help improve hand function and forearm bone health in teens with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, say researchers.
Meredith R. Golomb, Indiana University School of Medicine, authored the study examining the rehabilitative benefits of remotely monitored in-home virtual reality games.
The pediatric neurologist at Riley Hospital for Children said: “While these initial encouraging results were in teens with limited hand and arm function due to perinatal brain injury, we suspect using these games could similarly benefit individuals with other illness that affect movement, such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, arthritis and even those with orthopedic injuries affecting the arm or hand.”
The research was done in collaboration with the Rutgers University Tele-Rehabilitation Institute, headed by Grigore Burdea, Ph.D., professor of electrical and computer engineering.
Dr. Golomb added: “Popular off-the-shelf games are targeted to people with normal hand and arm function and coordination. These games don’t work for or benefit those with moderate-severe hemiplegic cerebral palsy and many other disorders that affect movement. They just aren’t made to be used by or improve hands that can’t pinch or grasp.”
The study was published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. (ANI)
- Some patients with cerebral palsy have asymmetric pelvic bones: Study - Mar 10, 2011
- Cell transplants to cure cerebral palsy - Apr 20, 2010
- Cerebral palsy, leading cause of child disability in India - Dec 03, 2010
- Hindus urge video-games developers not to drag religions into games - Oct 28, 2010
- Lewis's brother says cerebral palsy won't stall racing dream - Apr 25, 2011
- Women awarded for exemplary work for marginalised kids - Aug 19, 2011
- Nintendo Wii holds rehabilitation benefits too - Sep 24, 2008
- Brain quickly adjusts for broken arm - Jan 17, 2012
- Man divorces wife over breast enhancement - Apr 07, 2012
- Trans fats can saddle you with belligerence - Mar 14, 2012
- Weblike device helps cerebral palsy victims move again - Oct 22, 2010
- Robotic aids help stroke patients regain limb movement - Apr 19, 2010
- Treadmill training could help tiny tots walk - Feb 23, 2010
- New robotic devices to give stroke patients a helping hand, leg up - Jun 19, 2010
- Novel compounds may prove effective against cerebral palsy - Feb 26, 2009
Tags: archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, arm function, bone health, brain injury, cerebral palsy, computer engineering, forearm bone, golomb, grigore burdea, hemiplegic cerebral palsy, indiana university school, indiana university school of medicine, orthopedic injuries, pediatric neurologist, physical medicine and rehabilitation, rehabilitation institute, riley hospital for children, rutgers university, school of medicine, virtual reality games