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#009900

Testing a new home-based therapy exercise app with children with cerebral palsy and their families

Summary

We have created a new home-based therapy exercise app – Bootle Boot Camp – that is presented on a television equipped with a 3D motion tracking camera.

We want to learn about how movement tracking feedback impacts engagement, movement quality and families’ experiences with the app at home. We also want to learn about how overall use of the app impacts lower limb function.

Call to action

Are you or your child tired of boring home exercise programs? Consider participating in a research study to test out a new home-based therapy exercise app – Bootle Boot Camp.

Who can participate

We are looking for children who: 

  • have a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or other nonprogressive neuromotor disorder (e.g., spina bifida, perinatal stroke, acquired brain injury, incomplete spinal cord injury)
  • able to walk on level surfaces without a handheld mobility device (or with a mobility device for children with CP, GMFCS I-III)
  • are ages 6-14 years 
  • have normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing
  • have at least one goal related to the lower limb
  • connected to a physiotherapist in the community (on or off therapy treatment block)
  • are able and willing to complete 4 weekly exercise sessions for 6 weeks
  • have a caregiver and physiotherapist that are both able and willing to participate

Funding agency

  1. Azrieli Foundation
  2. Peterborough K.M Hunter Charitable Foundation
  3. Margaret and Howard Gamble Research Grant
  4. Marguerite Harland Smith Graduate Award
  5. Hayden Hantho Award
  6. Lois Snelling Physical Therapy Bursary
  7. Ruth Bradshaw Graduate Award
  8. Hilda and William Courtney Clayton Paediatric Research Fund
  9. Holland Bloorview Children’s Foundation Chair in Pediatric Rehabilitation
  10. Kimel Family Graduate Student Scholarship in Pediatric Disability Award from Bloorview Research Institute 
  11. Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
  12. Scotiabank
  13. University of Toronto

What's involved

The study consists of one in person session with you/your child’s regular physiotherapist who will set goals with your child and prescribe a home exercise program using the Bootle Boot Camp app. Your child will then use the app to complete 4 exercises sessions per week for 6 weeks at home. The system will provide or withhold movement tracking feedback based on your child’s predefined schedule. It will also log data and video during gameplay. At the end of the study, you/your child will be asked to participate in interviews to learn about your experiences with the app.

Deadline

Interested in participating

If you are interested in participating in this study or have additional questions, please contact Marina Petrevska at mpetrevska@hollandbloorview.ca or 416-425-6220 extension ext. 3129. 

Contacting us does not obligate you to participate in this study.

Additional information

Version 1 (10/01/2024) REB #0607

Testing Bootle Boot Camp – A New Movement Tracking App to Engage Kids in Home Exercise Programs

pdf-iconDownload recruitment flyer (Family)
pdf-iconDownload recruitment flyer (Physiotherapist)
Learn more about this study