Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2025
Mobile Game-based Virtual Reality Program for Upper Extremity Stroke Rehabilitation
Published on: March 8, 2018
Task-oriented game therapy enhances upper extremity functions for children with cerebral palsy
Mehmet Sönmez1, Sena Sönmez2, Musa Eymir1
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Erzurum Technical University, Yakutiye, Erzurum, Turkey.
Insights
Fruit Ninja® game (FNG) therapy significantly improved hand functions in children with Cerebral palsy (CP) when added to standard physiotherapy. This game-based approach enhances grip strength and range of motion, offering beneficial results for CP rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neurology
- Game-Based Therapy
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts hand function in children.
- Standard physiotherapy (PT) is a cornerstone of CP management.
- Novel therapeutic approaches are needed to enhance hand function outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of Fruit Ninja® game (FNG) therapy combined with standard PT versus standard PT with sham-FNG therapy.
- To evaluate the impact on hand functions, grip strength, and range of motion (ROM) in children with CP.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving twenty children with CP.
- Experimental group received standard PT plus FNG therapy (20-min sessions, 3x/week for 6 weeks).
- Sham group received standard PT plus sham-FNG therapy (video tracking).
Main Results:
- Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in various hand function measures.
- The experimental group demonstrated statistically significant superior improvements in hand functions compared to the sham group.
- Specific improvements noted in grip strength, wrist mobility, and functional dexterity tests (9-HPT, BBT).
Conclusions:
- Fruit Ninja® game therapy is a beneficial adjunct to standard physiotherapy for improving hand function in children with CP.
- This game-based intervention shows promise for enhancing motor skills and overall hand function in pediatric CP rehabilitation.
- Further research can explore long-term effects and optimal integration of such therapies.
Background:
This study aimed to compare the Fruit Ninja® game (FNG) therapy combined with standard physiotherapy (PT) to standard PT with sham-FNG therapy in children with Cerebral palsy (CP) in terms of hand functions, grip strength, and range of motion (ROM).
Method:
Twenty children with CP were randomized to the experimental group (EG) and the sham group (SG). Both groups received standard PT for 45-min sessions, three times a week for 6 weeks. The EG additionally performed FNG training for 20-min sessions, three times a week for 6 weeks. The SG watched the FNG demonstration video and tried to perform the movements on a flat table by tracking the video for the same duration as the EG.
Results:
All baseline values were comparable (p > 0.05). The post-trial within-group analysis showed significant improvements in some variables (for EG: dominant-hands' grip strength, wrist extension, and radial deviation, non-dominant-hands' ulnar deviation, and both hands' 9-HPT score, Box and Block test (BBT) score, and wrist flexion; for SG: dominant-hands' grip strength and ulnar deviation, and both hands' BBT score; for all, p < 0.05) in both groups. EG showed statistically significant improvement in hand functions compared to SG (for all; p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The FNG therapy offers beneficial results for hand functioning in the rehabilitation of children with CP.
More Related Videos
05:28Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
Published on: October 11, 2024
08:26Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
Published on: January 11, 2016
