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| PROJECT NAME: |
Commercially-Available
Interactive Video Games for Individuals with Chronic Mobility
and Balance Deficits Post-Stroke |
| TIMELINE: |
5-2008 - 4-2010 |
| FUNDING SOURCE: |
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,
Health Games Research |
PRINCIPAL
INVESTIGATOR: |
Stacy Fritz, PhD, PT |
| CO-INVESTIGATORS: |
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PROJECT
OVERVIEW/
ABSTRACT: |
More than half of individuals post-stroke have residual
movement disabilities, including reduced mobility, balance,
and increased risk of falling. There is a need for
innovative, long-term and economically-feasible
interventions for those with chronic stroke. Recently, a
focus has been placed on the use of virtual reality and
interactive gaming as a low cost and effective manner of
treating movement disorders. Yet few studies have
investigated interactive gaming platforms effect on balance
following stroke. The proposed study is a randomized,
single-blind, control group cross-over study for individuals
with chronic stroke designed to examine an innovative
therapeutic approach by investigating the effects of
commercially-available gaming systems on balance, mobility
and fear of falling in a sample of individuals with chronic
motor deficits following stroke.
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| PARTICIPATING
IN THE STUDY: |
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In order to participate, you must:
- Greater than 6 months following stroke
- Ability to walk 10 feet with or without
assistance
- 18 years of age or older
- Have some residual balance deficits
If you are interested in participating, you will
be screened by the University of South Carolina,
Department of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Lab
Staff to see if you meet all necessary
qualifications.
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| ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: |
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Commercially-Available Interactive
Video Games for Individuals with Chronic Mobility and
Balance Deficits Post-Stroke
or
Virtual Environment Rehabilitation (VEHAB) for Stroke
The following contains information regarding a research
study being offered by the University of South Carolina.
Before you decide whether or not to participate, read the
following information carefully.
VEHAB for Stroke:
- VEHAB stands for Virtual Environment Rehabilitation
and refers to a treatment approach aimed at improving
balance and mobility using video games.
- In this study the Nintendo Wii and the Sony
PlayStation 2 Eye Toy are the two virtual reality
gaming systems used.
- For this study you will be placed into one of two
groups. You will not be able to choose your group. Both
groups will receive the same training and testing; the
only difference will be when you will receive the
training.
- The 2 groups are:
- Group A (Immediate Treatment Group) will
receive the training immediately following the
initial evaluation.
- Group B (Delayed Treatment Group) will
receive the training 3-months after the initial
evaluation.
- Prior to the therapy, you will be asked to attend
evaluation sessions that will last approximately 4
hours. You will perform tests that evaluate your ability
to use your affected arm and leg, and test your balance.
- Following the evaluation, you will undergo 5
weeks of therapy. The sessions will last
approximately 1 hour and will be held on Monday thru
Friday, 4 days per week at the University of South
Carolina, Public Health Research Center. These sessions
will focus on challenging your balance by using various
activities on video gaming systems. You will have
someone with you at all times to direct the activities
and to ensure your safety.
- Re-evaluation sessions: After the 5 weeks of
training, you will be asked to repeat all testing that
you performed before the training and then to return 3
months later for another testing session. These testing
sessions will again last approximately 4 hours.
- Benefits to you may include: improved knowledge
about your abilities, and possible improvement in
movement control. In addition, the information obtained
from this study may help improve the treatment of
individuals with chronic stroke.
- Participation in this study is entirely voluntary.
There is no direct cost for participation in this
research study; however, you may incur costs for travel
or lodging depending on how far away you live. There is
no charge for the therapy.
Arnold School of Public Health featured article:
Research
project will test whether video games can help in recovery
of stroke victims
Carolina Minute is a news brief about events at
USC which is aired on SC ETV. Download this podcast
and listen to Stacy Fritz talk about this
Interactive Video Game project:
http://uscnews.sc.edu/01gametechnology.mp3
For more
information concerning this research study,
please contact Angela Merlo-Rains at 803-777-2627 or email
RehabLab@gwm.sc.edu
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