Affiliations: [a] Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada | [b] Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Tal Jarus, T325 – 2211 Wesbrook Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada. Tel.: +1 604 827 3392; Fax: +1 604 822 7624; E-mail: tal.jarus@ubc.ca.
Abstract: Background:Balance impairments are common in children with acquired brain injury (ABI) and a need exists to explore motivating interventions with this population. Xbox Kinect is a gaming system that might assist therapists in providing meaningful rehabilitation. Objective:To explore the effect of Kinect on improving balance and motivation in one child with ABI. Methods:Using an A-B design, the participant received traditional balance therapy for five days, followed by 15 days of Kinect rehabilitation. Balance and motivation were measured daily; function measured weekly. Baseline and intervention trend lines were visually analyzed to assess changes in balance and motivation. Results:Participant was unable to follow protocol; intervention was modified to use Nintendo Wii at day 14. While Kinect data showed greater improvement in balance when compared to traditional and Wii rehabilitation, Wii showed greater improvement in dynamic balance involving the body’s affected side. Motivation remained high between baseline and intervention. Conclusions:Kinect may be challenging to use therapeutically early in rehabilitation for improving balance in children with ABI. However, Kinect might improve balance more than traditional or Wii rehabilitation when used with the appropriate child at the right stage of rehabilitation. Motivation results remain inconclusive. Further research is warranted.
Keywords: Pediatrics, brain injury, balance, virtual reality rehabilitation, Xbox Kinect, Nintendo Wii
