Video Games to Treat Cerebral Palsy

Medical News Today reports that engineers at Rutgers University have altered a video game system to help children/teens with cerebral palsy improve the functionality of their hands. Results from a trial show an increase in the ability to perform certain activities among the three participants. The system combines the Sony PlayStation 3 console and gaming glove with software that is specifically designed to improve the range of finger motion and the speed of the hands. Rutgers engineers teamed up with clinicians at the Indiana University School of Medicine and installed the systems in the homes of the three participants for a 10-month trial period.

Engaging Children with Cerebral Palsy

The system is designed to treat cerebral palsy by capturing the attention of a teenager with the condition and having them engage in certain hand exercises. The systems allow researchers to follow the teens’ progress by being able to oversee their routines. Each system will be customized to fit an individual patient’s hand functionality. According to reports, all three participants showed improvement after using the system for the duration of the trial period. They each showed varying levels of improvement in normal everyday activities, including brushing their teeth, putting on their clothes, taking showers and using a spoon.