Video Based Games Exercise Training in Individuals With Cerebral Palsy

The Effect of Video Based Games Exercise Training on Selective Motor Control, Fear of Falling and Functional Capacity in Individuals With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurological disorder characterized by a persistent decline in sensory, cognitive or especially gross and fine motor functions during infancy or early childhood. In children with spastic CP, spasticity, muscle weakness, delay in motor development, inadequacy of gross and fine motor skills, selective motor control and functional capacity may be affected. Selective motor control (SMC) is the ability to isolate a muscle or muscle group to perform a specific movement. In children with CP, spasticity directly causes impairment of SMC, as movement patterns governed by flexor or extensor synergies are affected, which inhibits functional movements. Motor dysfunction in CP causes activity limitations and can negatively affect functional capacity. In addition, falls may increase in individuals with CP due to poor balance control, resulting in pain, injury and disability, and may cause individuals to lose confidence in their ability to perform routine activities. Increased fear of falling in individuals with CP may also lead to restriction of activities.It was discussed that the interactive computer game has possible evidence of efficacy allowing to improve gross motor function in individuals with CP. It also appears to have the potential to produce gross motor improvements in terms of strength, balance, coordination and gait for individuals with CP.As a result of our literature review, studies investigating the effect of virtual reality games on gait, balance and coordination in children with CP were observed. However, the effect of virtual reality games on selective motor control has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of our study, which is planned to eliminate this deficiency in the literature, is to investigate the effect of video game-based exercise training, which provides higher motivation than conventional physical therapy methods, on selective motor control, fear of falling and functional capacity in individuals with CP.

The effect of Virtual Reality Kinect video games, which provide higher motivation than conventional physical therapy methods, on selective motor control, fear of falling and functional capacity will be examined. The study will include children with spastic CP between the ages of 6-18 years who are attending a Special Education and Rehabilitation Center and who agree to participate in the study. According to the power analysis based on the reference article, it is planned to include 26 people in the study, 13 in the convention physiotherapy group and 13 in the video game-based exercise group. The families of the children included in the study will be asked to sign an Informed Consent Form and the children will be asked to sign a Child Consent Form for Research Purposes. Demographic data such as gender, age, type of extremity involvement, age at diagnosis will be recorded before the training. The cognitive level of the individuals will be evaluated with the Mini Mental State test, gross motor levels will be classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System and hand skills will be classified according to the Hand Skills Classification System. Selective motor control of the upper extremity will be evaluated with the Selective Control of Upper Extremity Evaluation Scale (SCUES) and selective motor control of the lower extremity will be evaluated with the Selective Control of Lower Extremity Evaluation Scale (SCALE). Individuals' balance skills in daily living activities will be evaluated with the Pediatric Balance Scale, fear of falling will be evaluated with the Pediatric Fear of Falling Scale, and functional capacity will be evaluated with the 6-minute walk test.

Spastic cerebral palsy, Virtual reality, Selective motor control, Fear of falling, Functional capacity

30 minutes of upper and lower extremity strengthening exercises, upper and lower extremity stretching exercises, functional exercises to increase joint range of motion, tone regulation exercises, 30 minutes of weight transfer exercises to the upper and lower extremities, exercises to improve elective motor control (including isolated joint movements). exercises), balance and coordination exercises (weight transfer to the right-left, front-back on the balance board, cross-arm-leg exercises, exercises for balance and protective reactions), walking training will be applied.

30 minutes of upper and lower extremity strengthening exercises, upper and lower extremity stretching exercises, functional exercises to increase joint range of motion, tone regulation exercises, 30 minutes of XBox Video Games (10 minutes of Reflex Ridge, 10 minutes of Rallyball, 10 minutes of River rush games) will be applied.

The conventional physiotherapy program will be applied 2 days a week, 60 minutes a day for 10 weeks and consist of weight bearing on the upper and lower extremities, strengthening, functional stretching exercises, walking training and balance exercises.

In the Video Game Based Exercise Training program, in addition to the same conventional physiotherapy application for 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 10 weeks, 30 minutes of Microsoft Xbox Kinect video games such as reflex ridge and rallyball are used.

SCUES is a test that evaluates selective motor control of the upper extremity with a score between 0-3. SCUES assesses the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and fingers bilaterally

It is a test that evaluates the selective motor control of the lower extremity with a score between 0 and 2. It evaluates the hip, knee, ankle and toe joints bilaterally.

The 6MWT is a simple, submaximal, clinical exercise test that measures the distance walked in 6 minutes under controlled conditions. The 6MWT has been used in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in recent years. In these populations, the 6MWT is considered a measure of overall 'functional status' as 6MWT performance involves the integrated response of multiple body systems

It is a scale that assesses the fear of falling in activities of daily living in the pediatric population. There are 6 main topics. There are a total of 34 items in which children's fear of falling is questioned during different activities. Participants receive a score between 0 and 68, with higher scores indicating higher fear of falling.

Assesses children's balance and consist of 14 items. Each item is scored between 0 and 4 points. Low score refers to the poor balance and the high score refers to the good balance.

This is a classification system for children with chronic disability and based on the movements initiated by the child him/herself such as sitting, moving and acting. GMFCS classifies gross motor functions of children with CP in five levels.

MACS is a five-level classification system that analyzes the children with CP use their hands while carrying objects in their daily activities.

It consists of 13 items covering five cognitive skills (orientation, attention and working memory, episodic memory, language and structural praxis) that assess cognitive status. The maximum score that can be obtained from the test is 37.

Inclusion Criteria Being diagnosed with spastic CP Being between the ages of 6-18 Being at level I, II, III according to MACS Being at level I, II, III according to GMFCS Scoring 24 points and above on the Mini Mental State Examination To have adequate communication skills The family agrees to the inclusion of their child in the study Child's willingness to participate in the study Regular attendance to exercise training within the specified time periods Exclusion Criteria: Any botulinum toxin application and surgical intervention to the lower and upper extremities in the last 6 months Serious vision and hearing problems Children who have difficulty understanding and following the rules of the game, Receiving surgery or botox application to the lower or upper extremity Individuals with joint contracture Those with pacemakers because they emit radio waves