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.