Comparison of scores obtained in videogame with biomechanical variables in stroke

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) promotes intensive training of a single task, enabling the motor learning, thereby affecting the recovery of postural control (PC) in individuals with stroke. Video game with balance platform are used as a form of intervention and, at the end of the game, a score is provided, but there is no evidence that it can be used as a quantitative parameter of PC. Objective: To determine whether there is a correlation between the score obtained by a video game and stabilometric variables. Methods: Nine individuals with stroke participated in an experimental protocol using the game Penguin Slide as intervention. The score was collected in the first and last sessions. The 2.0 AMTI force platform was used, with an acquisition frequency of 200Hz for evaluating before and after intervention. The volunteers were positioned with open eyes (OE) and closed eyes (CE) in the upright position for 1 minute, with one foot on each platform. Using the Matlab software, the variables of center of pressure (COP) were obtained: total COP area (ACOPt), COP area on the mediolateral (ACOPx) and anteroposterior (ACOPy) axis, average speed of COP (VCOP). The non-parametric paired Wilcoxon test (p < 0.05) was used to compare the initial and final results of Penguin Slide game score and the pre and post intervention data obtained by the force platform in the OE and CE conditions. The analysis were done with the software R. Results: Comparison of initial and final score (p = 0.003). In OE condition, the initial and final comparison: ACOPt (p = 0.91), ACOPx (p = 0.57), ACOPy (p = 0.49), VCOP (p = 0.09). In CE condition, the initial and final comparison: ACOPt (p = 0.73) ACOPx (p = 1.0), ACOPy (p = 0.73) VCOP (p = 0.73). Conclusion: The VR did not provide PC improvement of the patients despite the score of the Penguin Slide game have increased significantly at the end of the protocol. Thus, there was no correlation between the score obtained by video game and the stabilometric variables