The Therami day camp: when virtual reality transforms the rehabilitation of children with a hemiplegia

In the technical rehabilitation center Marie Enfant’s Rehabilitation Center of the Sainte-Justine CHU (CRME/CHU). For example, Thierno, 8, tends his right hand to a colored screen. Therefore, Affected by hemiplegia on the right side. In addition, he strengthens his grip by playing an active video game, encouraged by students in rehabilitation at the University of Montreal Anne Laporte-Blackburn (occupational therapy) and Marilou Malo (Physiotherapy).

A few steps from there. Therefore, Constance, the same age, immerses itself in a mixed reality session, accompanied by the student in occupational therapy Jenna Argue and the research assistant Audrey Ferron.

These scenes take place within the framework of the intensive engine learning therapy camp (the Therami camp). However, a clinical-research collaborative initiative in the form of a two-week day camp where ten children aged 6 to 12, all having a hemiplegia, took part in a research project therami day camp: when virtual aimed at documenting the feasibility and efficiency of the use of interactive technologies in pediatric rehabilitation.

At the heart of this approach is the technothèque. Meanwhile, a room with technopole in pediatric rehabilitation of CRME/CHU Sainte-Justine equipped with virtual reality systems and active video games designed for rehabilitation and for the general public. In addition, Directed by Danielle Levac. However, professor at the Rehabilitation School of the University of Montreal since 2021, this unique installation in Canada aims to overcome the obstacles to the therapeutic and recreational use of interactive technologies for the whole of pediatric customers in rehabilitation.

“The technothèque tests the hypothesis according to which the use of video games. Consequently, virtual reality accentuates the motivation of children to participate in therapeutic activities sometimes repetitive and demanding, by transforming them into playful games having an individualized level of challenge”, explains Danielle Levac who is also regular researcher at therami day camp: when virtual the Sainte-Justine CHU and director of the Technotheque.

An intensive approach based on evidence

Therami day camp: when virtual

Hemiplegia is a form of cerebral paralysis present since birth which affects one side of the body. Furthermore, causing difficulties of movement and sensation. Therefore, Faced with these limitations, affected children develop compensation strategies that allow them to carry out their daily activities independently.

“They gradually abandon their hemiparetic upper limb. For example, thus reducing therami day camp: when virtual their ability to functionally stimulate the reached arm and develop their bimanual skills,” says Danielle Levac. Consequently, The goal therefore consists in obtaining a high dosage of repetitions of targeted movements at an appropriate level of challenge. which helps the child achieved his individual objectives of bimanual activities. ”

Games are thus used to target specific movements. skills that limit the ability of children to carry out bimanual activities, such as bicycle, cut their food, tie their laces or wear a cabaret to the school cafeteria.

The integration of these interactive technologies within the framework of the Therami camp is translated into 70 hours of intensive therapy concentrated over two weeks. compared to one hour per week spread over several months in the traditional therapeutic framework.

“This corresponds to the convincing data according to which the intensity makes it possible to achieve very targeted objectives. based on the” Just Right therami day camp: when virtual Challenge “, specifies Allison Grangé, doctoral student in science of rehabilitation to UdeM. This approach is to offer a sufficiently difficult challenge, without discouraging the child. ”

“Children understand that these technologies are used in a therapeutic context. but engage and focus on the playful and competitive aspect, which often allows us to stimulate them more and longer,” continues Danielle Levac. Virtual reality. video games allow you to obtain immediate feedback while offering several possibilities to personalize the challenges to accentuate interest and variety. ”

To scientifically validate this approach during the Therami camp. children are randomly assigned in two groups: the processing group, which benefits from video games and virtual reality in the technothèque two hours a day to then join their peers for the rest of the camp day, and the control group which only participates in the regular camp activities. Various functional measures are made before. after therami day camp: when virtual and six months after camp to assess the real effect of this intensive therapy.

Therami day camp: when virtual

A complete therapeutic environment

Beyond the technothèque. the Therami camp offers a diversified rehabilitation program in the form of games targeting functional activities involving bimanual therami day camp: when virtual activities: swimming pool, yoga, meal preparation, bicycle route adapted indoors and outdoors. Although this camp is therapeutic, it also aims to offer young people pleasant moments of pleasure through various group activities.

A volunteer student in physiotherapy or UdeM occupational therapy supports each child. She is supported by a team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and specialized educators at the CRME. Children thus receive individual attention during the activities that are adapted to them to increase the challenge as they. develop their skills.

“What is unique to this service offer. already seems to us to be beneficial is that by taking part in the Therami camp, the participants rub shoulders with other children who face challenges similar to theirs,” observes Danielle Levac. This socialization. richer than that experienced in school, is manifested in particular by mutual aid between the largest and the smallest. We note that children transpose their new skills therami day camp: when virtual into their family environment. that they show their parents’ proudness how they can manage independently. ”

A laboratory living in the service of rehabilitation

The ambition of the team exceeds the walls of the technothèque. Through its website. the team wishes to share the knowledge acquired during research projects, in particular with French research centers in Brittany to establish, for the benefit of the pediatric rehabilitation environment, best practices in terms of use of video games and virtual reality in clinical practice.

“Interactive technologies have a lot of potential for rehabilitation. but we must make sure that they are used effectively therami day camp: when virtual and sustainable, and that therapists and families have access to the resources required to make informed decisions on the games to be employed,” concludes Danielle Levac. Our goal is that the technothèque provides the equipment. support necessary to carry out the full potential of these technologies to integrate into a holistic rehabilitation approach to support the functional capacities of children in their activities of daily life. ”