A video game that gets children off the couch and helps them develop balance coordination — what more could a parent ask for?
Physical therapists at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) are testing the use of a PlayStation®2 video game for enhancing balance and coordination in children. The research project uses virtual reality training to treat children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).
"This will be a unique and fun way of doing therapeutic exercise," said Wayne Stuberg, Ph.D., professor and director of the physical therapy department at MMI.
While playing the game, children ride a virtual hover board. A small camera tracks the player’s movements, which control the character in the game.
This virtual reality game requires specific movements that challenge balance to successfully steer, avoid obstacles, perform trick maneuvers, hit targets and score points. Children try to beat their previous score each time.
"We think this game will help children improve confidence and self esteem, which are needed to be successful later in life," Dr. Stuberg said.
As part of the study, a PlayStation®2 will be loaned to participating children so they can play the game at home. Only 20 minutes of play per day is required over four weeks and coaching to maximize balance and coordination development is provided by a physical therapist. Testing of motor skills and balance will be done at MMI before and after training.
To be included in the study, children must be seven to 12-years-old and have impaired motor coordination. Children who have other medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD, cognitive impairment or severe behavior disorders are not eligible at this time.
For more information regarding this study, contact Jenny Kronberg-Haire, Stacey DeJong or Dr. Stuberg at (402) 559-6415.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources is now nearly $80 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,400 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes more than 460 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties. They practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center, UNMC’s teaching hospital. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.