Design and Evaluation the Effects of Kinect-based Computer Games for U/E Training in Chronic Stroke Patients

Chang Gung Medical Foundation

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Device: Kinect; Behavioral: Traditional occupational therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03229733

CMRPG8E0931

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aims of this study are to (i) develop exergames by using Kinect system for training UE function in patient with stroke; and (ii) to test the game's feasibility and effects in a group of patient with chronic stroke.

Full description

Exercise based computer games can facilitate high volume complex task practice, enhance feedback of movement and increase motivation of participants. Those effects are difficult to achieve with standard rehabilitation therapy. The Kinect system is a camera-based controller which a player can use to directly control a game through body movement without the need for handheld controllers. Using Kinect to capture movement is a feasible way to help patients who have difficulties to hold controllers to play exergames. Scratch 2.0 is a programming language for kids from the MIT Media Laboratory. It is easy to use for game designing. Kinect2Scratch allows data from the Microsoft Kinect controller to be sent to Scratch, This means that game programs can be designed with motion control. The aims of this study were to i) develop exergames by using Scratch and Kinect system for training upper extremity function in patient with stroke; and ii) to test the game's feasibility and effects in a group of patient with chronic stroke.

This program will be done within two years. During the first year, investigators will design several exergames which are suitable for training upper extremity function in patient with stroke. Investigators will have several experts meetings, involved by physiatrists, occupational therapists and engineers to design the game. When a prototype game is created, investigators will invite two to four patients with stroke to pilot test the game. The game design will be completed till patients and therapists satisfy the design.

During the 2nd year, investigators will test the feasibility and effects of the exergames by doing a pilot randomized control trial. Investigators will recruit 60 patients with chronic stroke who are admitted to a rehabilitation ward for outpatient rehabilitation, and will randomize participants to experiment or control group. All participants will receive PT and OT training as routine. The additional intervention either exergames or conventional OT will be delivered for 8 weeks with 3 training sessions/week of up to 30 minutes.

Enrollment: 39 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• First ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke or former stroke without any significant residual motor impairment
• 3 months post stroke
• Impaired arm motor function at Brunnstrom stage 3-5
• Age 18 years or older

Exclusion criteria

• severe cognitive impairment defined as < 20 on Mini Mental State Examination
• visual disorders or neglect limiting the ability to comply with treatment regimen
• orthopedic problem or other neurological diagnosis that makes the UE dysfunction.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

39 participants in 2 patient groups

Experimental group

Experimental group

Description:

Patients randomized to the experimental group participate in exergames training with Kinect. The supervised OT chooses different games according to the patient's needs and abilities. During therapy patients are at sitting position. The game program will be adjusted when patients got improvement. After 30 minutes of exergames training, participants will receive a 30-minutes of traditional occupational therapy.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Traditional occupational therapy

Device: Kinect

Control group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients in the control group will receive individually tailored traditional occupational therapy consisting of the similar movement and dose as the experimental group doing by using the traditional equipment, such as climbing bar.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Traditional occupational therapy