Bootle Blast: Testing a Mixed Reality Video Game for Home-Based Practice of Arm-Hand Skills for Children with Cerebral Palsy - A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Summary
Bootle Blast is a movement-tracking video game tailored for hand-arm skills training, collaboratively developed by children, game developers, clinicians, and researchers. Using a camera to track movements, the game is adaptable to accommodate various abilities and therapeutic objectives. In this study, we want to find out whether home-based practice with Bootle Blast could potentially improve upper limb function, activity, and participation outcomes in children with Cerebral Palsy.
Researcher(s)
Dr. Elaine Biddiss (PhD, MASc, PEng)
Study Principal Investigator
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Bloorview Research Institute
Dr. Virginia Wright (PhD)
Study Principal Investigator
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Bloorview Research Institute
Call to action
Do you have Cerebral Palsy and are interested in a mixed reality game for hand-arm training? Do you wish there was an easy-to-use, fun, and beneficial activity that might strengthen your movement and hand-arm skills? Join our study to bring Bootle Blast into your home!
Who can participate
We are looking for kids who:
- Have hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
- Have some difficulty handling objects (Levels I to III on the Manual Abilities Classification System)
- Are between 6 and 17 years of age with sufficient cognitive capacity and cooperation to play Bootle Blast and complete outcome assessments
- Can answer questions in English about preferences
- Can come to Holland Bloorview for a total of 3 in-person study appointments
- Have a large screen (e.g. TV) with an appropriate play space (3m x 3m) in front
- Have at least intermittent access to the internet
- Have time to play Bootle Blast for 15-20 minutes/day, 3-4 days/week for 12 weeks
- Have not received upper limb surgery or botulin toxin injections in the past 4 months
- Have not had constraint-based movement therapy/casting in the previous 3 months that may be associated with changing abilities
- Are not currently or anticipate receiving active treatments impacting upper limb function during the study period
- Do not have uncontrolled epilepsy that may be triggered by video game play
- Do not have a medical condition impeding safe participation in physical activity associated with Bootle Blast
- Do not have visual limitations that interfere with Bootle Blast play
Funding agency
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
What's involved
This study is 24 weeks long. For 12 of the 24 weeks, you will be given the Bootle Blast system to play at home. Children will be asked to complete ~12 hours of active play time (i.e. actively engaged in therapeutic movement) over the 12 weeks (e.g. 15-20 minutes/day, 3-4 days/week). For the remaining 12 weeks you will receive standard care.
Throughout the course of the 24 weeks, participants will come to Holland Bloorview in the beginning, middle and end of the study for three in-person hand/arm assessments with a research occupational therapist. Additionally, caregivers will video record their child performing an everyday challenging activity that they’d like improve on approximately every two weeks.
Deadline
Interested in participating
If you are interested in participating in this study or have additional questions, please contact Gloria Lee at glee@hollandbloorview.ca or (416) 425-6220 Ext. 3342. Please expect a reply from Gloria or a member of the research team within 2 business days. Contacting us does not obligate you or your child to participate in the study.
Additional information
Version 1 (02/02/2024) REB #1954
Testing a Mixed Reality Video Game for Home-Based Practice of Arm-Hand Skills for Children with Cerebral Palsy - A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
