Comparative effects of kinect-based versus therapist-based constraint-induced movement therapy on motor control and daily motor function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: a randomized control trial.
Tsai-Yu Shih, Tien-Ni Wang, Jeng-Yi Shieh and 4 others
PMID 36703170WHAT IT FOUND
Kinect-based therapy matched traditional therapist-led CIMT for hand use and daily function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy, but it reduced trunk compensation during reaching.
The small sample and lack of follow-up mean this is promising, not definitive.
Key findings
01There were no significant differences between the two groups in upper extremity motor control (reaction time, movement time, peak velocity) or daily motor function (amount and quality of use).
02The kinect-based group showed significantly better trunk motor control, specifically greater arm movement early in reaching and less trunk compensation later in reaching, compared to the therapist-based group.
03Children in the kinect-based group performed a mean of 853 repetitions of targeted movements per session with high engagement, suggesting the game-based approach effectively delivered intensive practice.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample size was small (29 children), which limits the certainty of the findings. The study did not include follow-up assessments, so it is unknown if the gains in motor control or daily function were maintained over time. The participants were a relatively homogeneous group, which may limit how well the results apply to children with different levels of ability or comorbidities. The kinect program consisted of only two games, which may not represent all VR-based interventions.
Declared interests
The authors declared no competing interests. The study was supported by non-U.S. government funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the significant improvement in trunk motor control as a general superiority of VR therapy over traditional CIMT. The primary outcomes for daily hand use and upper extremity motor control showed no difference between the groups, and the small sample size means the trunk findings could be due to chance or specific to the game design.