Concurrent Validity of Measures of Upper Extremity Function Derived from Videogame-Based Motion Capture for Children with Hemiplegia

Objective: Pediatric hemiplegia is associated with wide-ranging deficits in arm and hand motor function, neg-atively impacting participation in daily occupations and quality of life. This study investigated whether performance measures generated during therapy videogame play by children with hemiplegia can be valid indicators of upper extremity motor function.Materials and Methods: Ten children with hemiplegia used a custom therapy game system alternatively using their affected and non-affected hand to provide motion capture data that spans a wide range of motor function status. The children also completed a series of standardized outcome measure assessments with each hand, including the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test, the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test, and the Wolf Motor Function Test.Results: Statistical analysis using the nonparametric Spearman rank correlation revealed high and significant correlation between videogame-derived motion capture measures, characterizing the speed and smoothness of movements, and the standardized outcome measure assessments.Conclusion: The results suggest that a low-cost motion capture system can be used to monitor a child's motor function status and progress during a therapy program.

Automated summary

This study investigated whether performance measures generated during therapy videogame play by children with hemiplegia can be valid indicators of upper extremity motor function. The results suggest that there is a high and significant correlation between the motion capture measures derived from videogame play and standardized outcome measure assessments.