A Registry Based Randomized-Controlled Trial of an Upper Limb Exergaming Intervention for Children and Adolescents With Spinal Muscular Atrophy

This multisite randomized controlled registry-based trial will evaluate the efficacy of a home-based exergaming intervention, as compared to usual care, on occupational satisfaction of children and youth (aged 8-18 years old) with SMA. Participants in the intervention arm will play the exergame, Tales from the Magic Keep™ on the Azure Kinect platform, 3 times per week, for at least 20 minutes, over 8 weeks (total 8 hours), and continue to access their regular physical activities and rehabilitation services. Those in the usual care arm will continue to access their regular physical activities and rehabilitation services. Occupational satisfaction will be assessed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) at 8 weeks.

Inclusion criteria

• Confirmed genetic diagnosis of 5q SMA
• Age at screening: Aged 8-18 years old
• Participant is able to stay seated independently without support for at least 10 seconds
• Participants has a score of at least 2 points in entry item A of the RULM (i.e., "Can raise 1 or 2 hands to the mouth but cannot raise a 200 g weight in it to the mouth")
• Treated with disease-modifying therapy
• Signed ICF

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to comply with study procedures according to the site investigator, prior to randomization
• Severe scoliosis or contractures that would interfere with gameplay or with successful completion of functional assessments, as confirmed by the clinical evaluator
• Planned orthopedic surgery 6 months prior to or throughout intervention and follow-up period (16 weeks post randomization)
• Inability to read in English or French