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ABSTRACT: Objective: To investigate the feasibility of gamebased robotic training of the ankle in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Design: Case study, 12 weeks intervention, with no follow-up. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: A referred sample of 3 children with cerebral palsy, age 7 to 12, all male, were enrolled. All completed the intervention. Interventions: Participants trained on the Rutgers Ankle CP system for 36 rehabilitation sessions (12 weeks, 3 times/week), playing two custom virtual reality games. The games were played while participants were seated, and trained one ankle at-a-time for strength, motor control, and coordination. Main Outcome Measures: The primary study outcome measures were for impairment (DF/PF torques, DF initial contact angle and gait speed), function (GMFM) and quality of life (Peds QL). Secondary outcome measures relate to game performance (game scores as reflective of ankle motor control and endurance). Results: Gait function improved substantially in ankle kinematics, speed and endurance. Overall function (GMFM) indicated improvements that were typical of other ankle strength training programs. Quality of life increased beyond what would be considered a minimal clinical important difference. Game performance improved in both games during the intervention. Conclusions: This feasibility study supports the assumption that game-based robotic training of the ankle benefits gait in children with CP. Game technology is appropriate for the age group and was well accepted by the participants. Additional studies are needed however, to quantify the level of benefit and compare the approach presented here to traditional methods of therapy.
IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering: a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society 07/2012; · 2.42 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study described here was to develop and feasibility test the Rutgers Ankle CP, aimed at ankle strengthening and improved control for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The system was an upgrade in hardware (new foot attachment, new robot controller) and software (new games and programming language) of the earlier Rutgers Ankle in order to permit training of children with CP. The new Rutgers Ankle CP was used to train ankle strength and motor control in a 7 year old boy with CP during 36 rehabilitation sessions (12 weeks, 3 times/week). Assessments for impairment, function and quality of life were taken before and after training. Results indicated improvements in both strength and motor control. Gait function improved substantially in ankle kinematics, speed and endurance. Overall function (GMFM) indicated improvements that were typical of other ankle strength training programs. Quality of life increased beyond what would be considered a minimal clinical important difference. While these results are only for a single participant, they are very encouraging toward improving the function and quality of life of children with cerebral palsy. Further research with a larger number of participants is planned.
IEEE ... International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics : [proceedings]. 06/2011; 2011:5975432.
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ABSTRACT: The Rutgers Arm II system consists of a low-friction tilting table, a vision-tracked forearm support, a PC and a large display. Patients play a number of custom Java 3D games using their affected arm while supported by- or resisted by gravity through the table tilting. Four chronic post-stroke subjects (between 6 months and 5 years following stroke) trained for 12 half-hour rehabilitation sessions on the system over four weeks. Their Fugl-Meyer upper extremity subset scores improved 1 to 7 points (10 to 27%) while arm reach area (measured on the RAII surface) grew between 156% and 307%. Both high- and low-functioning patients were able to play the games, and liked the system (average subjective evaluation of 6 out of 7).
Virtual Rehabilitation International Conference, 2009; 08/2009
