Participant Perceptions of Use of CyWee Z as Adjunct to Rehabilitation of Upper-Limb Function Following Stroke
By Hale, Leigh A.; Satherley, Jessica A.; McMillan, Nicole J.; Milosavljevic, Stephan; Hijmans, Juha M.; King, Marcus J.; Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Volume 49, Number 4, pages 623-634Publication Date: 2012
Study sought to determine the utility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of using an adapted CyWee Z game controller to play computer games aimed at improving upper limb function. The CyWee Z controller is a movement based handheld game controller similar to the Nintendo Wii controller. The device was incorporated into a handlebar between 350 and 500 millimeters long to accommodate individual user preference. Rotations of the device in the transverse plane produced horizontal mouse cursor translations on the screen, while rotations in the sagittal plane produced vertical mouse cursor translations. Participants were 14 persons with paraplegia and chronic stroke, aged 47 to 85 years, of whom 5 were women. Using the game controller, participants played a suite of computer games providing a graduated series of challenges. Then, four qualitative in depth interviews and two focus groups explored participant perceptions of their gaming experiences. Data were thematically analyzed with the general inductive approach. Participants enjoyed playing the computer games with the technology. Perceived benefits included improved upper limb function, concentration, and balance; however, 6 participants reported shoulder and/or arm pain or discomfort, which presented during play but appeared to ease during rest. Participants suggested changes to the games and provided opinions on the use of computer games in rehabilitation. Overall, using an adapted CyWee Z controller and computer games in upper limb rehabilitation for people with chronic stroke was found to be an acceptable and potentially beneficial adjunct to rehabilitation, although the negative side effect of shoulder pain experienced by some participants would require further investigation.
Published by:
VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Service (Web Site: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov )
Link to text: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/2012/494/hale494.html
