Virtual Reality Improves Hand Function: Playing Games for Real Recovery

Remotely monitored in-home virtual reality videogames improved hand function and forearm bone health in teens with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, helping them perform activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, cooking, and other tasks for which two hands are needed.

"While these initial encouraging results were in teens with limited hand and arm function due to perinatal brain injury, we suspect using these games could similarly benefit individuals with other illness that affect movement, e.g. multiple sclerosis, stroke, arthritis and even those with orthopedic injuries affecting the arm or hand," said Meredith R. Golomb, M.D, M.Sc., Indiana University School of Medicine associate professor of neurology.

A pediatric neurologist at Riley Hospital for Children, she is the first author of a pilot study which reported on the rehabilitative benefits of these custom videogames.

The researchers also reported that improved hand function appears to be reflected in brain activity changes as seen on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans.

The three study participants were asked to exercise the affected hand about 30 minutes a day, five days a week using a specially fitted sensor glove linked to a remotely monitored videogame console installed in their home.

Games, such as one making images appear ("sliders") were custom developed, calibrated to the individual teen's hand functionality, included a screen avatar of the hand, and focused on improvement of whole hand function.

"Popular off-the-shelf games are targeted to people with normal hand and arm function and coordination. These games don't work for or benefit those with moderate-severe hemiplegic cerebral palsy and many other disorders that affect movement. They just aren't made to be used by or improve hands that can't pinch or grasp" said Dr. Golomb.

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Dyslexia: Build 3-Dimensional Words and Make them Real

Once your child gets the idea of words having sounds inside them can be connected in rhyme e.g. I sa a bear at the fair that had no hair or underwear, then they are ready and willing to match sounds to letters.

Make Letters Real
You have to make letters and words as real and tactile as possible. This will really help children to be able to fully grasp their usefulness, their usage and the subtle differences between them.

Flash Card
Flash cards with pictures and words on them are a good start but you need go further than this. You need to create a more 3-dimensional 'picture' for the children to fully embrace.

Shapes and Sounds
Your job is simply to try and help your child recognise the shapes and sounds of letters. How do you do that? Well, let's say that you do that in as many ways as possible.

Use their Senses
Remember, children who suffer dyslexia are able to learn better if they apply all their sense to the subject. Allow them to see, hear, touch, smell, taste, sense the letters and words.

Sculpt the Words
Help them to not only draw the letters but also sculpt them in the snow, in paint, in clay, in lipstick, in whatever substance will hold the shapes. Trace the shape of letters on their skin, with or without colour. They will be able to visualise or sense the letter in their own way, even if you don't know why.

Prepare to be lead
You need to start by leading them on this voyage of discovery and they need to be content or willing to join you. hopefully, at some time alomg the way they will take over the lead and you should slip back and let them take over control.