Using health games for rehabilitation of patients with infantile cerebral palsy

[Purpose] The purposes of this study were to evaluate whether the therapeutic games developed by the study team are significantly effective for upper limb rehabilitation of patients with cerebral palsy and to assess the development of the games and the evolution of patients throughout the therapy sessions. [Subjects and Methods] This study demonstrates the results of using therapeutic games in patients with infantile cerebral palsy. The therapies were performed in 30-minute sessions for about 1 to 4 months. This study shows the progress of five children with cerebral palsy during the sessions. The time it took the children on each road and the times required to complete a task were measured. In addition, the level of difficulty of the games was gradually increased at each session. [Results] Results have shown good progress on the accuracy of the movements and an increase in concentration level during the execution of the games, showing an improvement in the patients’ performance by 40–55% faster. [Conclusions] Health games encourage children to comply with therapy. The advantage of the game is that the patient can perform the therapy at home, which could help achieve further progress in patients.