Exergames Balance Program in Neurorehabilitation

Klinik Valens

Status: Completed

Conditions: Balance Disorders; Stroke; Multiple Sclerosis

Treatments: Device: MindMotion GO

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT03993275

MindMaze

Details and patient eligibility

About

Exergames are games that require physical movements and are used with a therapeutic purpose, e.g. to improve strength, balance or flexibility. Exergames rely on technologies that track body movements and reaction, to perform exercises in a persuasive environment. Exergames are increasingly used in rehabilitation to improve motor function and independence of patients. Exergames are increasingly used for self-regulated exercise. However, usability of the MMGO is reduced by the fact that 1) therapists are needed to choose exercises and 2) adapt the exercise program depending on patients' ability level, and 3) patients' motivation reduces after about 5 sessions if exercises are not adapted and variation of exercises is low.

The planned study aims to overcome the given limitations and thus improve usability. Using routine data of patients exercising with MMGO and clinical outcome measures this study will investigate the relationship between scores on the MMGO and on clinical outcome measures and how these scores change over time. In addition, the study will determine the relative difficulty levels of each exercise and its difficulty level in relation to participants' balance ability.

Full description

Exergames are games that require physical movements and are used with a therapeutic purpose, e.g. to improve strength, balance or flexibility. Exergames rely on technologies that track body movements and reaction, to perform exercises in a persuasive environment. Exergames are increasingly used in rehabilitation to improve motor function and independence of patients. In the Rehabilitation Center Valens, the exergames of 'MindMotion GO' (MMGO) are used to improve balance in patients with neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and stroke. Patients' movements are captured by a Kinect camera. With their body movements, patients control an avatar that has to be moved goal directed. Several games are available and during rehabilitation therapists select games and adapt the exercise program according to patients' progress. In this way, trunk control and balance can be trained in sitting and standing.

Rehabilitation is effective to improve independence in activities of daily living (ADL) for patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Stroke. Higher levels of mobility and balance are associated with better outcomes regarding ADL independence. Higher treatment dose is positively associated with ADL and balance improvement. Self-regulated exercise, whereby patients perform given exercises independently, is recommended. Exergames are increasingly used for self-regulated exercise. However, usability of the MMGO is reduced by the fact that 1) therapists are needed to choose exercises and 2) adapt the exercise program depending on patients' ability level, and 3) patients' motivation reduces after about 5 sessions if exercises are not adapted and variation of exercises is low.

The planned study aims to overcome the given limitations and thus improve usability. Using routine data of patients exercising with MMGO and clinical outcome measures this study will investigate the relationship between scores on the MMGO and on clinical outcome measures and how these scores change over time. In addition, researchers will determine the relative difficulty levels of each exercise and its difficulty level in relation to participants' balance ability.

Enrollment: 84 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with a Stroke or Multiple sclerosis (EDSS 3-6.5), confirmed by a neurologist
• Age > 18 years
• Referred for a minimum of 3 weeks in-patient rehabilitation
• Reduced balance (< 52/56 points on the Berg Balance Scale)
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Co-morbidities interfering with exergame performance, walking ability and balance (e.g. visual or cognitive impairments, psychiatric disorders, musculoskeletal problems)

Trial design

84 participants in 2 patient groups

Patients with Stroke

Description:

30 Patients suffering a stroke will be included in the study. After clinical measurements of balance, gait, trunk control and cognition, patients will train 2-3 times a week for on average 4 weeks with the MindMotion GO system. Afterwards, clinical measures will be repeated.

Treatment:

Device: MindMotion GO

Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Description:

50 Patients suffering multiple sclerosis will be included in the study. After clinical measurements of balance, gait, trunk control and cognition, patients will train 2-3 times a week for on average 3 weeks with the MindMotion GO system. Afterwards, clinical measures will be repeated.

Treatment:

Device: MindMotion GO