Objective: Up to 85 % of patients with post-traumatic brain injury suffer motor discoordination, ataxia and dyspraxia. The formation of the correct movement patterns, improved balance are important tasks of rehabilitation for these patients. The effectiveness of rehabilitation depends on the plasticity of the nervous system, which is stimulated by repetition of specific movements, the intensity of training and positive motivation.
Background: The first commercially successful computer games were developed in 1970-ies as an entertainment. Almost instantly, physicians and rehabilitologists began to use computer and video games as a part of the therapy, developed rehabilitation games. According to the latest prevalence estimates, 59% to 63 % of general population play computer games.
Interesting game plot stimulates the correct performance of the exercise, increases the speed and amplitude of movements, develops coordination.
Method: Randomised controlled trial. 196 patients involved in a study (46,5% males, 43,5% females, mean age-26y1m). Control group- 97 subjects, examination group- 99. All of the diagnosed post-traumatic brain injury 6 to 12 months after the episode. Patients of examination group were exposed to 30 min. of computer game training during 2 weeks. We developed our own specialized computer games for patients with post-traumatic brain injuries having ataxia as a pivotal symptom. Appropriate level of speed and complexity are adjusted by the therapist, that is always present during games session. Stabilometry was the test to assess ellipse swing area (cm2). The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to measure balance.
Results: Mean ellipse area for control group was 268,4±67,4 cm2 before and 264,2±64,3 after 2 weeks (p>0,05), for examination group 257,9±70,4 and 227,1±66,0 cm2 (p<0,05). BBS score improved for both groups from 38,1±2,4 to 40,3±2,6 in control group (p>0,05), 37,2±2,9 to 44,6±3,0 in examination group (p<0,05).
Conclusion: Developed computer games aimed at training of balance are an effective tool in complex rehabilitation for post-traumatic patients having ataxia. Usage of even short-term rehabilitation using these games improves balance significantly.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
T. Voloshyn, V. Kozyavkin, O. Kachmar. Implementation of computer game technologies for patients with ataxia due to post-traumatic head injury: Randomized controlled trial [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2020; 35 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/implementation-of-computer-game-technologies-for-patients-with-ataxia-due-to-post-traumatic-head-injury-randomized-controlled-trial/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/implementation-of-computer-game-technologies-for-patients-with-ataxia-due-to-post-traumatic-head-injury-randomized-controlled-trial/