Family expectations and demand for home-based videogaming therapy in children with cerebral palsy in Costa Rica: a mixed methods study.

PURPOSE: To understand the expectations and demand for a movement-tracking videogame (Bootle Blast) for home-based, upper limb (UL) rehabilitation among Costa Rican children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Data were collected via telephone screening (demand) and child-parent dyads Zoom interviews (expectations). Descriptive statistics and data transformation were used to report on demand success criteria (i.e., recruitment rate, having an appropriate screen and space to play, setting a weekly play time goal (PTG) ≥45 min, identifying one UL therapy goal). The DEPICT model for collaborative qualitative analysis was used in the thematic analysis of interview data. RESULTS: Fifteen dyads participated (1.6 ± 1 recruited/month). All had a flat-screen TV in a suitable location to play, were able to set a UL therapy goal, and established PTGs ranging from 45-120 min per week. Identified themes were: 1) Socio-cultural factors heighten demand, 2) Feelings of hope prevail for the intervention, and 3) Collaborative goal setting supports realistic expectations for Bootle Blast. CONCLUSIONS: Dyads had positive and realistic expectations about implementing the proposed videogaming intervention. This study provides insights on tailoring a family-centered, therapy gaming intervention to improve access to motor rehabilitation for children with CP in rural/remote settings and low-middle income countries.

Costa Rican children have limited access to upper limb rehabilitation due to a combination of economic barriers, societal factors and the family context.Costa Rican children with cerebral palsy and their families expected home-based therapy gaming to be adaptable to their routines and aligned with their interests.Families perceived therapy gaming interventions as a promising path to access, participation, and enjoyment of at home upper limb motor therapy.

Efecto de un método de entrenamiento contrarresistencia en la capacidad funcional y calidad de vida de sujetos con Parkinson idiopático / Effect of a training method of resistance against the functional capacity and quality of life of subjects with Parkinson idiopathic

Existen antecedentes sobre los efectos que tienen la fisioterapia y la implementación del ejercicio físico en el aumento del bienestar personal y en el retraso del avance de la Enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), sin embargo hay insufi cientes datos sobre los efectos que genera el fortalecimiento muscular. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto de un entrenamiento de la fuerza muscular sobre la capacidad funcional y la calidad de vida de personas con Parkinson Idiopático (EPI). Los participantes del estudio fueron (n=10) sujetos con edad promedio de 68±7,68 de los cuales (n=4) mujeres 65,5±10,8 y (n=6) hombres 69±5,2, todos presentaban Enfermedad de Parkinson Idiopático. Los sujetos fueron sometidos a un programa de entrenamiento de fuerza muscular con bandas elásticas Thera-Band durante 16 semanas. Las cargas iniciales y su incremento se fi jaron con la escala de ejercicio OMNI-Resistance. Se valoraron los cambios en capacidad funcional mediante el Senior Fitness Test y la incidencia en Calidad de Vida mediante el cuestionario PDQ-39. Los resultados encontrados fueron un incremento de la carga de entrenamiento a partir del primer mes y el aumento en el número de repeticiones en los dos meses finales. La fuerza de las extremidades superiores mejoró significativamente, mientras que en el resto de áreas de la capacidad funcional y de Calidad de Vida mostraron cambios positivos, sin embargo, estadísticamente no fueron significativos. En cambio las impresiones subjetivas de los pacientes fueron altamente positivas. El estudio concluye que el entrenamiento de contrarresistencia con bandas TheraBand es un tratamiento efectivo para mejorar la fuerza del tren superior y ayuda a aumentar la capacidad funcional y la calidad de vida de los participantes con EPI

There are precedents for the eff ects of physiotherapy and implementation of exercise in increasing personal well being and delay of progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD), however there is insuffi cient data on the eff ects generated strengthening. The aim of the study was to evaluate the eff ect of muscle strength training on functional ability and quality of life of patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PID). Study participants were 10 subjects with a mean age of 68 ± 7.68 of which 4 were women with a mean age of 65.5 ± 10.8 and 6 were men with a mean of ± 5.2 69; all subjects were diagnosed as a Parkinson’s Disease idiopathic patients. The subjects underwent training program muscle strength with Thera-Band elastic bands for 16 weeks. The initial loads and increase fi xed with the OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale. Changes in functional capacity using the Senior Fitness Test and the impact on quality of life using the PDQ-39 questionnaire were assessed. The results were an increased training load from the fi rst month and a increased in the number of repetitions in the fi nal two months. The strength of the upper extremities improved signifycantly, the other areas of functional capacity and quality of life showed positive changes, however not statistically signify cant. Instead subjective impressions of the patients were highly positive. The study concluded that the resistance training bands Thera-Band is an eff ective treatment for improving upper body strength also helps to increase the functional capacity and quality of life of patients with PID