Effects of physically active video gaming on cognition and activities of daily living in childhood brain tumor survivors: a randomized pilot study.

Background: Physical activity can enhance cognitive functions in both animals and humans. We hypothesized that physically active video gaming could: i) improve cognitive functions and ii) improve the execution of activities of daily living among survivors of childhood brain tumors.

Methods: Children 7 to 17 years old who completed treatment, including radiotherapy, for a brain tumor 1 to 5 years earlier were randomized to either intervention or waiting list.

Neuropsychological Assessment of Hippocampal Integrity.

Finding methods to describe subcortical processes assisting cognition is an important concern for clinical neuropsychological practice. In this study, we reviewed the literature concerning the relationship between a neuropsychological instrument and the underlying neural substructure. We examined evidence indicating that one of the oldest neuropsychological tests still in use, the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), includes reliable indicators of hippocampal integrity.

Active video gaming improves body coordination in survivors of childhood brain tumours.

Purpose: We investigated whether active video gaming (AVG) could bring about regular, enjoyable, physical exercise in children treated for brain tumours, what level of physical activity could be reached and if the children's physical functioning improved.

Methods: Thirteen children, aged 7-17 years, were randomised to either AVG or waiting-list. After 10-12 weeks they crossed-over.

Variability in quality of life 13 years after traumatic brain injury in childhood.

With the aim of describing variability in the long-term outcome of quality of life after neurosurgically treated pediatric traumatic brain injury, mostly self-reports of 21 individuals with mild or moderate/severe injury were gathered using Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory in telephone interviews 13 years aftyer injury. A majority of the participants reported brain injury-related problems. The median outcome on Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory was mild to moderate limitations.

Fifteen-year follow-up of upper limb function in children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

Objective: To describe the impaired fine-motor skills in patients with traumatic brain injury acquired in childhood.

Design: A total of 165 patients with traumatic brain injury, aged 0-17 years, injured during the period 1987-1991, were identified. Fifteen years post-injury a questionnaire was sent to the patients.