Strokes and Video Games

8/8/2019 Strokes and Video Games

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Strokes and Video Games

Stroke rehabilitation is the process where stroke survivors relearn skills

that they have lost because of brain damage. For example, coordinatingleg movements in order to walk. Rehabilitation also teaches survivors

new ways of doing things to get around any remaining disabilities.

____Most rehabilitation experts believe that the most important element in

any rehabilitation program is a carefully directed, focused, repetitivepractice.

____Rehabilitative therapy begins in the hospital after the patient has been

stabilized-often within 24 to 48 hours after the stroke. The first steps

involve promoting independent movement because many patients areparalyzed or seriously weakened. Patients are asked to change positions

often when in bed and to engage in several range-of-motion exercises tostrengthen their impaired limbs.

Patients progress from sitting up and transferring between the bed and a chair tostanding, bearing their own weight, and walking, with or without assistance.

Rehabilitation nurses and therapists help patients perform progressively morecomplex and demanding tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and using a toilet, and

they encourage patients to begin using their stroke-impaired limbs whileengaging in those tasks.

Post-stroke rehabilitation involves physicians; rehabilitation nurses; physical,occupational, recreational, speech-language, and vocational therapists; and

mental health professionals.____

Wii saw 77-year-old Jerry Pope getting a workout playing a virtual tennis

game. He suffered a debilitating stroke in June. Pope said that the Wehas enabled him to regain his balance, and the use of his arms.

"Not only am I moving the hand, my feet are moving, I am jumping around, it isas if I am really playing the game. It is motivational, makes you feel like you are

progressing, even if you are not and that helps you," he said.

Before his stroke, Pope was a semi-pro tennis player. He initially tried thetraditional exercises recommended by physical therapists, but found them

repetitive and boring.

He says the We is fun and it is helping him make progress. His therapists agree.

____

stroke- a sudden loss of consciousness caused by an interruption in the flow of

blood to the brain____


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Symptoms of strokeloss of vision

loss of speech

loss in feeling/numbnessloss of motion DUMMY!!

____

Wii has declared to improve motor functions for stroke patients announced inAmerican Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2010. ?!?!? UGLY

SENTENCE

____How/why the Wii?

The Wii is used to improve motor function because it is a very popular game

console that requires human motion, more than that of other popular gamingsystems. The Wii uses a motion sensor that is picked up by the Wii, requiring

individuals to swing, shake, and otherwise move the motion sensor. Regular videogames only reuire the movement of joysticks and pushed buttons as input for the

video game, which is more restricted than arm swings for the Wii.

This increased motion helps stroke victims. Because of the stroke, part of thebrain has died. Rehabilitation involves relearning skills that were lost as part of

the stroke. The Wii's requirement of motion allows the skills to be relearned. BothXbox and Playstation, while very popular, do not require enough motion to help

victims relearn the skills--they aren't learning any.

______The pilot study focused on movements with survivors' impaired arms to help both

fine (small muscle) and gross (large muscle) motor function. Groups received anintensive program of eight sessions, about 60 minutes each over two weeks,

initiated about two months following a stroke. The only side effect for a few

groups was nausea and dizziness.The great thing about using virtual reality to combat strokes is that many of the

games for the Wii simulate intense and important repetitive tasks or everydaylife. A necessary skill needed in life for people.

Wii-stroke patients showed signs of better motor function, both fine and gross,

manifested by improvement in speed and grip strengthNot only is this new method very promising, safe, fun and engaging, but is also a

very affordable method for improving motor function._____

Study by Dr. Gustavo Saposnikby divided 20 patients into two groups: one using

the conventionaltherapy while the other using Wii. Both groups underwentintensive therapy for two weeks with eight 60 minute sessions each. During the

course of the research, it was shown that the group that used the Wii consoleshowed 30% more improvement over the group that used conventional methods.


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Aside from the large margin of improvement gained from such method, thepracticality of this technique was also pointed out.

_______

POWERPOINT THINGY

Difficult to maintain patient motivationOften difficult to provide appropriate level of therapy to meet a patients

rehabilitation needs

Video games may be effective in optimising engagement & motivation.

Create a framework for the design of games for upper-limb stroke rehabilitation.Evaluation of appropriate technology for home-based therapy.

Design, development and evaluation of rehabilitation games using noveltechnology.

Effects of stroke:Attention and concentration deficiencies

Balance lossPain

Weakness and paralysisDepression

Fatigue

Upper limb remains weak in up to 66% cases.

Phases of rehabilitation:In hospital

Travel to specialised unitsHome-based rehabilitationPotential for home use.1

No need for therapist to be present?Session data can be recorded at home & uploaded to remote site.

____

Designers of rehabilitation tasks can benefit from examining the formulas thatcommercial game developers use

WHAT EXACTLY IS A STROKE?

A stroke is a type ofbrain injury. They normally fall into one of two categories.Both are very different and are treated accordingly.

ISCHEMIC-This type of stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is

diminished or is cut off. This happens from either a blood clot or a narrowing ofthe arteries. This also happens to be the most common type of stroke.
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HEMORRAGIC-This type of stroke isn't caused by a blockage, but by an actualblood vessel bursting. This causes a rush of blood to flood an area of the brain.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE STROKE?

During the attack, blood flow is restricted or cut off from an area of the brain.

This causes that area to slowly die, and brain damage can take place. Whatfunctions are lost depends on the location of the stroke. Strokes on the right side

of the brain affect the left side of the body and strokes on the left side of thebrain affect the right side of the body.

IF BRAIN DAMAGE TAKES PLACE, HOW CAN A PERSON RECOVER?

That's a good question! The brain is a remarkable organ. When the blood flow iscut off, new pathways can take over and supply the blood to that damaged area.

Also, the brain can make compensations. One area will take over the functions

that were previously handled by a different area. Remember, people can and do

recover from a stroke!

WHAT ARE THE STEPS OF RECOVERY FROM A STROKE?

Usually, recovery happens in phases. It takes place over a period of time that canvary from a few weeks to a few years. Every stroke is different and the extent of

damage varies. Below are the general phases that a stroke patientcan expect to

go through.

TREATMENT FOR THE ACTUAL STROKE- This begins when a person first enters

the hospital. Doctors will determine the type of stroke and will provide theappropriate treatment. This may consist ofdrugsto break up clots and thin the

blood or surgery to repair a broken blood vessel. Treatment is aimed at

preventing another stroke from taking place and limiting the amount of braindamage that occurs.

RECOVERY- After a stroke, some spontaneous recovery takes place for most

people. Abilities that may have been lost will begin to return. This process cantake place very quickly over the first few weeks, and then, it may begin to taper

off.

REHABILITATION- This phase usually takes place while the patient is still in thehospital. Various therapists and specialists will work with the stroke victim to

bring back lost skills. This can be a very frustrating time for the patient as theybecome aware of their limitations from the stroke. Oftentimes, this is the period

where anger or depression can set in. It's good to remember that with

proper therapy, many or most skills can be relearned.
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RETURNING TO THE HOME ENVIRONMENT-This can be a very exciting time, butadjustments may have to be made. Some of the adjustments might be temporary

or some may last for a lifetime.

For the stroke victim, simple tasks such as tying shoes or fastening pants can bedifficult. These are easy to remedy. Velcro shoes and drawstring pants can be

worn. Other issues may not be as easy. But take courage. There will be manyexperts to ease this transition.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE AFFECTS FROM A STROKE?

Again, this will depend on which area of the brain is affected. Some common

after-effects of a stroke are:

Paralysis or simple weakness on one side of the body. Remember, this will be

the opposite side of the body from which the stroke occurred.

Difficulty with speech.

Trouble with swallowing.

Difficulty with urination.

Balance and coordination problems.

Problems with cognitive functions-The stroke victim mayhave memory problems or may have difficulty following directions.

Fatigue

Emotional upsets-These can vary from depression to bouts of spontaneous

laughter.

WHAT ABOUT LONG-TERM DISABILITIES?

This can happen. There again, it depends on each individual. Some strokes are

mild and will result in complete recovery. Others are severe and will producelingering problems.

CAN I PREVENT A STROKE FROM OCCURRING?

There are things that you can do to minimize your risk of having a stroke. Manystrokes are caused by fatty deposits that reduce the blood flow to the brain. A

proper diet, coupled with regular exercise, can keep your body strong

and healthy.
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Also, there is research that strongly suggests that consuming aspirin and vitaminE on a regular basis may help to prevent ISCHEMIC strokes. The vitamin E keeps

the blood thin while the aspirin lowers the clotting ability of the blood. The

drawback to this type of preventative course is that it can cause a small numberof HEMORRAGIC strokes. For many people, this type of prevention out ways the

risk. Remember, most strokes are ISCHEMIC in nature.

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Strokes and Video Games