Use of Active Video Games With Children With Cerebral Palsy

Many children of all abilities enjoy video games. There are a variety of them available for all ages and interests. For children with physical or cognitive impairment (or both), fast-paced, complicated video games are frustrating and in some cases out of reach. Children with cerebral palsy that noticeably affects their physical capabilities need video games that are slower and less complicated. Luckily, there are some games just for them.

Why Video Games

• Video games enhance hand-eye coordination and muscle movement, the things that children with cerebral palsy work on for hours in physical and occupational therapy. Video games are more normal activities for children. According to Journal Live, a news site from England, the Cerebral Palsy Research and Therapy Centre, at the Sir James Spence Institute, Royal Victoria Infirmary, reports that the brain reacts differently to fun ways of learning. The continuous play of video games helps children with cerebral palsy use their eyes, hands and brains together as a treatment for brain damage. The real benefit is that, while it is difficult for children and their families to follow through with conventional prescribed exercises at home between therapy appointments, the games are fun so the children will continue to do them. In addition, they can play them with their friends.

Which Games

• Children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy use one side predominantly. Video games encourage them to use both hands. Games have been developed for Nintendo Wii and for personal computer use that require the child to hold down a button with the dominant hand while using the less preferred hand to manipulate the controls. One game used at the Cerebral Palsy Research and Therapy Centre is called "Sunset." The object of the game is to pop as many bubbles rising out of the water as possible before the sun sets. At the University of Toronto, engineering student William Li adapted existing video games to help children with cerebral palsy improve their weaker sides. In one game, the child picks fruit and throws it in a bowl. In another, an animated cheese grater prepares cheese the child "grabs" with the controller.

Virtual Reality Games

• According to a study published in Pediatric Rehabilitation, virtual reality is defined as "an immersive and interactive three-dimensional (3D) computer experience occurring in real time." With this computer technology, children are able to try things that their physical disabilities do not allow them to do safely in reality. Studies of effectiveness are few, but the premise is that as a result of having more typical types of play experiences, children with cerebral palsy will develop physically, cognitively and psychosocially, greatly enhancing their quality of life.