Evaluation of wrist and finger function in healthy children through music-based video game therapy

The loss of hand and wrist function significantly impairs an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks, resulting in reduced independence and a lower quality of life. Neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy, are among the leading causes of such impairments. These conditions often lead to difficulties with muscle strength, coordination, and motor control, impacting an individual's ability to manipulate objects. Cerebral palsy is a prevalent neurological disorder in children that often causes severe impairments in hand and wrist function. Traditional rehabilitation methods, such as physiotherapy, are effective but often suffer from poor adherence, especially in pediatric populations. Therefore, the use of engaging interventions, such as music-based and game-based therapies, holds significant promise for improving therapy adherence and effectiveness in children with cerebral palsy.

The proposed rehabilitation system integrates a wearable data glove with a music-based serious game to promote hand and wrist function in children with neurological impairments. The data glove, equipped with two inertial measurement unit sensors, detects hand and wrist movements, serving as the primary input device for the game. The game design incorporates music therapy elements, including metronome-based rhythms and volume feedback to motivate movement and enhance neuroplasticity. Three distinct games are designed to target wrist flexion and extension, ulnar and radial deviation, and gross motor grip.

Ten healthy pediatric participants completed all sessions under both music and no-music conditions. As the data were non-normal, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used. Statistically significant differences were found in all games, although effect sizes were small. These results suggest that music may subtly modulate motor performance. For example, in the Rocket game, music reduced variability and range of motion, suggesting more controlled wrist flexion/extension. In the Squirrel and Bubble games, music contributed to smoother movements and greater consistency in pinch grip, respectively. Usability survey data revealed high levels of user satisfaction and enjoyment, with items related to clarity, comfort, engagement, and particularly relaxation showing significant differences above neutral ([Formula: see text]).

This study provides exploratory evidence supporting the feasibility of music-based, game-driven rehabilitation tools in pediatric populations. Although the observed effects were modest, the system demonstrated high usability and acceptability. Future studies should include clinical populations, assess longer-term retention effects, and further investigate how music-induced relaxation may support engagement and treatment adherence in rehabilitation contexts.