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NCT Number: NCT04837105

Serious Game-based Intervention in Gait Rehabilitation for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is defined as a group of movement and posture disorders that cause activity limitation due to brain damage during fetal development or in the first year of life. Motor activities, and in particular walking, can be affected by many factors including sensory deficits, biomechanical and postural limitations, muscle weakness and spasticity. Theories of gait training guide rehabilitation management strategies. Among these, intensification, variability and specific training of walking parameters (speed, step length, cadence) have shown their effectiveness. Delivering sensory feedback during gait rehabilitation exercises is a complementary approach to improve motor learning during rehabilitation. On the other hand, motivation is a key factor in the success of rehabilitation. The addition of walking exercises performed through a serious game in augmented reality (AR) appears relevant for the rehabilitation of children with CP after surgery.

The serious game ARRoW-CP is based on the latest advances in the literature in terms of gait rehabilitation protocol but also on the results of a clinical study conducted by our team, to identify the best feedback modalities to be delivered during the serious rehabilitation game.

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Key information

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy Brain Damage, Chronic Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Gait Disorders, Neurologic Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

10 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Fondation Ellen Poidatz

Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry, Île-de-France Region, 77310, France

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Eric Desailly, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

160652765 ext. +33

About this study

This study is a randomized control trial.

Participants are children with cerebral palsy having a single event multi level surgery. They are involving in a rehabilitation protocol in the same rehab center.

Two groups are formed:

  • control group: classic rehab+children have treadmill gait protocol during 4 weeks
  • test group : classic rehab+children have gait training with the ARROW CP serious game.

ARROW CP game is developed for augmented reality headset (Microsoft Hololens). It delivers feedback in real time and with delay on participant gait performance. This game has been developed by researchers (Fondation Ellen Poidatz, France).

The aims of this study are:

  • . To determine the impact on spatiotemporal gait parameters of intensive gait rehabilitation involving the use of a serious AR game in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.
  • To explore the effects of playing a serious game on functional abilities
  • To assess motivation, satisfaction and adherence to treatment

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • A clinical diagnosis of CP mentioned in the medical record
  • Minor child for the entire duration of the protocol, i.e. between 10 and 17 years of age (the child must be less than 18 years of age at the time of the last check-up scheduled 1 year after inclusion in the study)
  • Global Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to III
  • Functional Mobility Scale 50 meters rating superior or equal to 2 (ability to walk on 50m using a walker or frame without help from another person)
  • Ability to cooperate, understand and follow simple instructions to play.
  • Patient affiliated to the French social security system
  • Voluntary patient whose parents have given their consent for their child to participate in the study
  • Patient who has undergone multisite surgery of the lower limbs including bone procedures at least 7 weeks before the start of the procedure

Exclusion criteria

  • A diagnosis of photosensitive epilepsy mentioned in the medical file AND/OR a mention in the child's medical file or by the parents or by the child of a history of epileptic seizures occurring during the practice of a video game
  • A visual, cognitive or auditory impairment at a level that would interfere with playing the game. The patient must have normal or corrected vision and hearing.

Treatment and study plan

Serious game ARROW CP

Other

ARROW CP is developed for Microsoft Hololens headset. Feedback on gait performance are delivering to the participant in real time and with delay. Participants have to walk at their maximal speed during "sprint session".

treadmill

Other

Participant walk on a treadmill at 80% of their maximal speed during maximum 20 minutes (+5 min warm-up / 5 min cool-down)

Primary outcomes

  1. 6 minutes walking test

    Time frame: 6 minutes

    Aim of the measurement: To quantify changes in the parameters of walking quality (speed, cadence, step length).

    Procedure: The patient is instructed to walk for 6 minutes in an unobstructed corridor. The distance walked is recorded for the calculation of walking speed. Fatigue is assessed with a Borg scale and heart rate is continuously recorded.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Muscle power sprint test

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    Aim of the measurement: To assess the anaerobic capacity of children with motor disabilities.

    Procedure: The patient is asked to perform six 15-metre walking sprints, with 10 seconds of rest between each sprint. The average and maximum power are calculated based on the speeds achieved during the sprints.

  2. Shuttle run test I and II (adapted for children with CP)

    Time frame: 20 minutes

    In this test, the child must walk between 2 poles spaced 10 metres apart following the "beep rhythm" imposed by a pre-recorded soundtrack. The soundtrack includes an increase in walking speed of 0.25 km/h every minute.

    (Verschuren et al.)

  3. Questionnaire (PACES)

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    To assess enjoyment for both control and test group, the 16-items of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) will be used. The PACES is a valid and re- liable measure of physical activity enjoyment. It has been used in many studies assessing the effectiveness of VR therapy This questionnaire will be presented to the participant at the end of the last session.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Fondation Ellen Poidatz

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Serious Game-based Intervention in Gait Rehabilitation for Children With Cerebral Palsy: Randomized Control Trial

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Apr 8, 2021
Registry last updated
Aug 24, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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