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.

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.

Virtual TeleRehab: a case study.

We examined the efficacy of a remotely based occupational therapy intervention. A 40-year-old woman who suffered a stroke participated in a telerehabilitation program. The intervention method is based on virtual reality gaming to enhance the training experience and to facilitate the relearning processes.

SALGOT--Stroke Arm Longitudinal study at the University of Gothenburg, prospective cohort study protocol.

Background: Recovery patterns of upper extremity motor function have been described in several longitudinal studies, but most of these studies have had selected samples, short follow up times or insufficient outcomes on motor function. The general understanding is that improvements in upper extremity occur mainly during the first month after the stroke incident and little if any, significant recovery can be gained after 3-6 months. The purpose of this study is to describe the recovery of upper extremity function longitudinally in a non-selected sample initially admitted to a stroke unit with first ever stroke, living in Gothenburg urban area.

Virtual rehabilitation in an activity centre for community-dwelling persons with stroke. The possibilities of 3-dimensional computer games.

Background: The main purpose of this study was to place a virtual reality (VR) system, designed to assess and to promote motor performance in the affected upper extremity in subjects after stroke, in a nonhospital environment. We also wanted to investigate if playing computer games resulted in improved motor function in persons with prior stroke.

Methods: The intervention involved 11 patients after stroke who received extra rehabilitation by training on a computer 3 times a week during a 4-week period.

Virtual rehabilitation after stroke.

The purpose of this project was to investigate the effects of Virtual Reality technology and haptics for stroke rehabilitation. Twenty-nine stroke subjects, 17 women, and 12 men aged 44-85 years, participated in three different studies. All participants responded favorable to the use of the VR activity station.

A kinematic analysis of a haptic handheld stylus in a virtual environment: a study in healthy subjects.

Background: Virtual Reality provides new options for conducting motor assessment and training within computer-generated 3 dimensional environments. To date very little has been reported about normal performance in virtual environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the test-retest reliability of a clinical procedure measuring trajectories with a haptic handheld stylus in a virtual environment and to establish normative data in healthy subjects using this haptic device.

Assessment and training in a 3-dimensional virtual environment with haptics: a report on 5 cases of motor rehabilitation in the chronic stage after stroke.

Objective: This exploratory study assessed the possible effectiveness of hemiparetic upper extremity training in subjects with chronic stroke with computer instrumentation (haptic force feedback) and 3-dimensional visualization applied to computer games, as well as to evaluate concurrent computer-assisted assessment of the kinematics of movements and test whether any improvement detected in the computer environment was reflected in activities of daily living (ADLs).

Methods: A single-subject repeated-measures experimental design (AB) was used. After baseline testing, 5 patients were assigned to the therapy 3 times a week for 45 min for 5 weeks.

Rehabilitation after stroke using virtual reality, haptics (force feedback) and telemedicine.

We have constructed a haptic immersive workbench to be placed in the patients' home for daily adjusted rehabilitation. We also propose a system for Internet based connection and communication between patients and between patients and a clinical rehabilitation center and clinical assessment/evaluation centers. The benefits of a system for rehabilitation after stroke, based on VR, Haptics and Telemedicine should be: increased quality of life, lesser isolation, feeling more secure, fewer tiring transportations, more frequent exercising, better compliance to training, lower cost for transportation.

Virtual reality and haptics as a training device for movement rehabilitation after stroke: a single-case study.

Objective: To investigate whether training in a virtual environment with a haptic device will improve motor function in the left hemiparetic arm of a stroke subject.

Design: Single case, A-B-A design.

Setting: University hospital research laboratory.

Virtual reality and haptics as an assessment device in the postacute phase after stroke.

Virtual reality (VR) technology is altering the health care environment and is changing the options that are available to therapists. This study describes how a haptic device was used as a cinematic assessment utility. Three chronic stroke inpatients at Sahlgrenska University Hospital with left hemisphere damage were assessed.