Dataset Information

Game-based training of selective voluntary motor control in children and youth with upper motor neuron lesions: protocol for a multiple baseline design study

ABSTRACT:

Background

Impairments of selective control of joint movements can have consequences for many activities of daily life, but there are only a few interventions to improve selective voluntary motor control (SVMC). We have developed a treatment option to specifically enhance SVMC exploiting the advantages of interactive computer play technology. It targets SVMC by training selective activation of a muscle or a selective joint movement while it provides immediate feedback about involuntary muscle activations/movements at an (unwanted) joint. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of this game-based intervention to enhance SVMC in children and youth with upper motor neuron lesions.

Methods

We will conduct a randomized, non-concurrent, multiple baseline design study. Patients aged between 6 and 20 years with reduced SVMC due to an upper motor neuron lesion will be included. During the baseline phase of random length, participants will attend their regular intensive rehabilitation program, and in the intervention phase, they will additionally complete 10 therapy sessions (à 40 min) of the game-based SVMC training. The primary outcome will be a short SVMC assessment conducted repeatedly throughout both phases, which quantifies movement accuracy and involuntary movements. Changes in clinical SVMC measures, muscle strength, cortical excitability, motor control of the inhibited/unwanted movement, and functional independence will be assessed as secondary outcomes. We will use a mixed-effect model to determine the change in the course of the primary outcome when the intervention is introduced, and we will compare changes between phases for secondary outcomes with paired tests.

Discussion

This study will provide first evidence whether SVMC can be improved with our game-based training. The single-case design takes into account the individualization required for this intervention, and it can help to address the challenges of intervention trials in our setting.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00025184, registered on 28.04.2021.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-021-02983-8.

SUBMITTER: Fahr A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8582135 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundComputer game-based interventions are emerging in pediatric neurorehabilitation, as they can provide two key elements for motor learning-motivating environments that enable long-term compliance, which is particularly relevant for children, and augmented feedback for improving movement performance.ObjectiveThe overall aim of this study is to develop an interactive computer play for children with upper motor neuron lesions to train selective voluntary motor control and give particular attention to motivation and feedback. We also aim to determine features that make games engaging, investigate which sensory feedback modality is noticed the fastest during play, develop an interactive game, and evaluate its feasibility.MethodsWe identified engaging game features by interviewing 19 children and adolescents undergoing rehabilitation. By using a test version of the game, we determined the response times of 10 patients who had to react to visual, auditory, or combined feedback signals. On the basis of the results of these two subprojects, we developed and designed a game environment. Feasibility was studied in terms of the practicability and acceptability of the intervention among 5 children with upper motor neuron lesions.ResultsThe game features deemed the most important by pediatric patients were strategic gameplay (13/29, 45% of answers) and choice (6/29, 21%). While playing the game, an acoustic alarm signal (reaction time: median 2.8 seconds) was detected significantly faster (P=.01) than conditions with other feedback modalities (avatar velocity reduction: median 7.8 seconds; color desaturation: median 5.7 seconds). Most children enjoyed playing the game, despite some technical issues.ConclusionsThe careful identification of game features that increase motivation and feedback modalities that inform children quickly led to the development of an interactive computer play for training selective voluntary motor control in children and adolescents with upper motor neuron lesions.

Project description:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative importance of different approaches to measure upper extremity selective voluntary motor control (SVMC), spasticity, strength, and trunk control for explaining self-care independence in children affected by upper motor neuron lesions. Thirty-one patients (mean [SD] age = 12.5 [3.2] years) with mild to moderate arm function impairments participated in this observational study. Self-care independence was evaluated with the Functional Independence Measure for children (WeeFIM). Upper extremity SVMC was quantified with the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES), a similarity index (SISCUES) calculated from simultaneously recorded surface electromyography muscle activity patterns, and an accuracy and involuntary movement score derived from an inertial-measurement-unit-based assessgame. The Trunk Control Measurement Scale was applied and upper extremity spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale) and strength (dynamometry) were assessed. To determine the relative importance of these factors for self-care independence, 3 regression models were created: 1 included only upper extremity SVMC measures, 1 included upper extremity and trunk SVMC measures (overall SVMC model), and 1 included all measures (final self-care model). In the upper extremity SVMC model (total variance explained 52.5%), the assessgame (30.7%) and SCUES (16.5%) were more important than the SISCUES (4.5%). In the overall SVMC model (75.0%), trunk SVMC (39.0%) was followed by the assessgame (21.1%), SCUES (11.0%), and SISCUES (4.5%). In the final self-care model (82.1%), trunk control explained 43.2%, upper extremity SVMC explained 23.1%, spasticity explained 12.3%, and strength explained 2.3%. Although upper extremity SVMC explains a substantial portion of self-care independence, overall trunk control was even more important. Whether training trunk control and SVMC can translate to improved self-care independence should be the subject of future research. This study highlights the importance of trunk control and selective voluntary motor control for self-care independence in children with upper motor neuron lesions.