The effect of video game-based exercises on selective motor control, balance, fear of falling and functional capacity in individuals with spastic cerebral palsy

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of video game-based exercise training on selective motor control, balance, fear of falling and functional capacity in individuals with spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP). In our study, 26 individuals with spastic CP between the ages of 6-18 years with a mean age of 12±3,92 years with Gross Motor Classification System and Manual Ability Classification System levels I and II were included. The individuals were divided into two groups as Study Group (n=13) and Control Group (n=13) by stratified randomization method. In both groups, selective control of the upper extremities was assessed with the Selective Control of Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES) and selective control of the lower extremities was assessed with the Selective Control of the Lower Extremity (SCALE). Balance was assessed with the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), fear of falling was assessed with the Pediatric Fear of Falling Questionnaire (Ped-FOF), functional capacity was assessed with the 6 Minute Walking Test (6MWT). Satisfaction of the study group was assessed with the Satisfaction Questionnaire.The study group played Xbox kinect games 2 days a week for 10 weeks, 30 min of conventional physiotherapy and 30 min of Video Game Based Exercise (VGBE) intervention. The control group received conventional physiotherapy for 60 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 10 weeks. There was no difference between the study group and control group in SCUES, SCALE, PBS, Ped-FOF and 6MWT values before and after treatment. Statistically significant intragroup increases were obtained both in the SCUES (p=0.011) and SCALE (p=0.002) values of the study group and in the SCUES (p=0.012) and SCALE (0.006) values of the control group. The increase in the balance scores of the study group (p=0.005) was statistically significant, while it was not significant in the control group (p=0.085). Statistically significant results were obtained in the functional capacity of individuals in both the study (p=0.001) and control (p=0.003) groups. VGBE intervention was a method that improves the individual's upper and lower extremity selective control, balance and functional capacity by increasing the individual's motivation for session participation in individuals with CP aged 6-18 years.