%0 Journal Article
%@ 2369-2529
%I JMIR Publications
%V 8
%N 2
%P e24337
%T 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
%A Kanitkar,Anuprita
%A Parmar,Sanjay Tejraj
%A Szturm,Tony J
%A Restall,Gayle
%A Rempel,Gina
%A Sepehri,Nariman
%+ University of Manitoba, 800 Sherbrook Street, RR327, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, 1 2048813112, anuprita.kan@gmail.com
%K cerebral palsy
%K parents' expectations
%K fine motor function
%K object manipulation
%K computer game–based treatment protocol
%K parents
%K motor function
%K computer games, rehabilitation
%K game-based rehabilitation
%K gross movement
%K children
%D 2021
%7 31.5.2021
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol
%G English
%X 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 
%M 34057424
%R 10.2196/24337
%U https://rehab.jmir.org/2021/2/e24337
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/24337
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34057424