Improved hand and arm function in children with Cerebral Palsy through increased access to affordable and user-friendly exergaming technologies

this two-year project, conduct research and development transforming principles of neuroscience into an evidence-based medical device that is easy to use, accessible, and affordable. The overarching goal of this project is further the development of an innovative therapeutic exergame product, Rehabilitation Technologies for Hand and Arm (R3THA) and create a Minimum Viable Product that can be used by children with mild to moderate Cerebral Palsy (CP) in their homes and with their therapists as an adjunct intervention to improve upper extremity function, leading to greater independence. We envision our product to become the new standard of care and are advancing its development in partnership with children with CP, their caregivers, and health professionals. The objectives of this project are: 1) Identify and categorize the user requirements of children with CP, their caregivers, and health professionals, 2) Enhance R3THA’s user experience to increase adherence to the therapeutic exercises, 3) Refine R3THA’s assessment protocol to tailor it to children with CP and the care team consisting of caregivers and health professionals, 4) Conduct a longitudinal study to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of R3THA. Anticipated outcome includes: 1) categorized series of user requirements that will serve as a blueprint for the enhancements of user experience, new exergame development, and gamification of assessments, 2) improvements including four new exergames, a reward system, e-mail reports, and enhanced user interface, 3) gamified assessments that provide objective and reliable kinematic measurements that are correlated with clinical assessments, 4) demonstrated efficacy and feasibility of using R3THA at home. The product will be versatile, easily accessible, and portable, for use throughout the continuum of care from early childhood to adult life. Our proposed Phase II project aims to increase the commercial application of our RandD results to improve the quality of lives of individuals with CP and beyond. By completing the SBIR I and II and developing R3THA for children with CP, we will open expansive commercial applications, providing a cutting-edge solution in pediatric neurorehabilitation. The adaptations will cater directly to the unique challenges faced by children with CP, their caregivers, and clinicians, leveraging engaging tailored to their specific needs and requirements. Commercially, R3THA stands out for its ability to integrate seamlessly into various settings with easy to use, goal-oriented, and personalized therapy. Such versatility not only makes R3THA an attractive option for caregivers seeking effective and engaging therapy solutions, but also positions the system favorably in the market as a cost-efficient, clinically validated tool for enhancing hand function and overall therapy adherence among children with CP.