Task-Oriented Game Therapy Enhances Upper Extremity Functions for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare the Fruit Ninja (R) game (FNG) therapy combined with standard physiotherapy (PT) to standard PT with sham-FNG therapy in children with Cerebral palsy (CP) in terms of hand functions, grip strength, and range of motion (ROM). Method: Twenty children with CP were randomized to the experimental group (EG) and the sham group (SG). Both groups received standard PT for 45-min sessions, three times a week for 6 weeks. The EG additionally performed FNG training for 20-min sessions, three times a week for 6 weeks. The SG watched the FNG demonstration video and tried to perform the movements on a flat table by tracking the video for the same duration as the EG. Results: All baseline values were comparable (p > 0.05). The post-trial within-group analysis showed significant improvements in some variables (for EG: dominant-hands' grip strength, wrist extension, and radial deviation, non-dominant-hands' ulnar deviation, and both hands' 9-HPT score, Box and Block test (BBT) score, and wrist flexion; for SG: dominant-hands' grip strength and ulnar deviation, and both hands' BBT score; for all, p < 0.05) in both groups. EG showed statistically significant improvement in hand functions compared to SG (for all; p < 0.05). Conclusion: The FNG therapy offers beneficial results for hand functioning in the rehabilitation of children with CP.