Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy in Virtual Reality Versus Standard Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy

Study Summary

The goal of this intervention study is- 1. To determine if a camp that solely uses VR software based on HABIT (HABIT-VR) still improves the motor planning and execution deficits in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) and 2. To determine if HABIT-VR improves bimanual coordination and affected hand function in children with HCP at least as well as a standard HABIT. Children with motor planning and execution deficits will receive 40 hours of either HABIT-VR or standard HABIT (4 hours per day, 5days/week, for two consecutive weeks), during which the investigators will track their performance of the tasks and their movements through 3-D motion tracking of the VR system. Post-camp, again the investigators will assess upper-extremity motor function. Additionally the investigators will assess pre to post camp improvement in hand function and bimanual coordination using Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and manual dexterity using Box and Block test and 9 Hole Peg test.

Primary Outcome

The Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA)measure and describe how effectively individuals with a hand/arm impairment use their two hands together to perform bimanual tasks. The scale range from 22 points, meaning that the hand is not used at all, to 88 points meaning that the hand is used effectively, like a normal non-dominant hand. The score reflects the child's ability to use the affected hand in bimanual performance. Higher scores are better.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL HABIT-VR
• BEHAVIORAL Standard HABIT

Study Locations (1)