@Article{info:doi/10.2196/24337,
author="Kanitkar, Anuprita
and Parmar, Sanjay Tejraj
and Szturm, Tony J
and Restall, Gayle
and Rempel, Gina
and Sepehri, Nariman",
title="Parents' Perspectives on a Computer Game--Assisted Rehabilitation Program for Manual Dexterity in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Qualitative Analysis of Expectations, Child Engagement, and Benefits",
journal="JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol",
year="2021",
month="May",
day="31",
volume="8",
number="2",
pages="e24337",
keywords="cerebral palsy; parents' expectations; fine motor function; object manipulation; computer game--based treatment protocol; parents; motor function; computer games, rehabilitation; game-based rehabilitation; gross movement; children",
abstract="Background: Children with motor impairments affecting the upper extremity benefit from task-specific therapy, such as constraint-induced movement therapy. However, there is a need to improve engagement and compliance with task-specific exercise programs that target manual dexterity for children with cerebral palsy (CP). A computer game--based rehabilitation (GRP) platform was developed that combines fine manipulation and gross movement exercises with engaging game activities appropriate for young children with CP. Objective: The objectives of this qualitative analysis were to compare parents' perspectives and opinions about expectations, challenges, and benefits between 2 interventions. Methods: A mixed methods, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to examine the feasibility and estimate the effect size of 2 exercise programs for rehabilitation of manual dexterity of children with CP using either GRP or conventional therapy. Parents of 26 of the children who completed the GRP program (n=33) and parents of 15 of the children who completed the conventional therapy program (n=27) participated in the interviews. A general conductive approach was used to analyze the data recorded during the parents' interviews. Results: Five themes captured the range of the parent's experiences, viewpoints, and ideas: (1) parents' expectations, (2) child's engagement with therapy, (3) positive effects of the interventions, (4) challenges, and (5) improving the protocol. Conclusions: Parents from both groups recognized that their expectations related to improving children's object handling and manipulation skills including participation in activities of daily life were addressed during the 16-week therapy program. Parents perceived a change in the children's level of independence in their daily tasks at home, school, and leisure activities. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02728375; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02728375 ",
issn="2369-2529",
doi="10.2196/24337",
url="https://rehab.jmir.org/2021/2/e24337",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/24337",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34057424"
}