Grants

Studying the effects of commercially available interactive video games for individuals with post-stroke chronic mobility and balance deficits

More than half of those who survive a stroke are left with serious movement disabilities, including reduced mobility, poor balance, and an increased risk of falling. There is a need for innovative, long-term and economically-feasible interventions for those who have had a chronic stroke. Recently, the rehabilitation field has focused on the use of virtual reality and interactive gaming as a low cost and effective way to treat movement disorders. Yet few studies have investigated effects of interactive gaming on balance following stroke. Through this grant, a team from the University of South Carolina School of Public Health will compare the effects of two video game systems (Wii and EyeToy) on stroke victims' mobility, balance and fear of falling. They hope to determine whether these systems deliver training that is capable of supplementing and extending the physical therapy that patients with stroke normally receive.

This project was funded as part of Health Games Research, a national program of the Pioneer Portfolio dedicated to funding and supporting research to advance the effectiveness of interactive games for health.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $112,000.00

Awarded on: 5/1/2008

Time frame: 5/1/2008 - 6/30/2011

Grant Number: 64450

Grantee

University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health

800 Sumter Street
Columbia, SC, 29208-0001

803-777-5032
Website

Stacy L. Fritz
Project Director

803-777-6887
Email

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