By Anamaria Badea, Polaris Medical
Abstract
In this paper we follow the evolution of a 43 year old patient with cerebellar syndrome using the MIRA system for improving upper limb coordination. Progress was measured using MIRA motion statistics data as well as Berg and SARA scales.
Introduction
Games are good fun but also extremely practical. In 2010, Daphne Bevalier, professor at The University of Rochester, researcher in psychology, published the study “Perceptual Learning During Action Video Game Playing”, in which he mentioned the multiple benefits of video games on teenagers: smaller reaction time, higher sensitivity to the surrounding environment, distributed attention, better spatial orientation and visual acuity.
MIRA is a software tool based on Exergames, motivating patients particularly when repetitive tasks cause discomfort. It also registers time spent exercising, number of repetitions, execution speed, involvement, accuracy, distance and points, which are useful parameters for evaluation.
As such, this paper considers the effectiveness of MIRA as treatment and evaluation for a patient with cerebellar syndrome.
About Cerebellar Syndrome
Cerebellar syndrome (a.k.a. cerebellar ataxia) is a form of ataxia originating in the cerebellum, characterised by lack of coordination and balance.
It presents clinical symptoms such as lack of voluntary movement coordination, manifestation of a characteristic tremor, difficulty to maintain gait and balance, hypotonia, dyssynergia, dysmetria, dysdiadochokinesia (impaired ability to perform rapid, alternating movements), dysarthria, nystagmus (difficulty in eye movement coordination).The movement deficit is on the same side than the cerebellar lesion.
The subject
L.P. is 43 and has suffered a left meningioma operation that was followed by complications such as cerebral hemorrhage, left facial shingles, herpes encephalitis. Initial clinical examination revealed convergent strabismus, diplopia, difficulty for performing lateral eye movement for left eye), dissymmetry for heel-knee and index-nose coordination, walking with frame, difficulty in maintaining balance in upright position, insomnia, depression, anxiety and pain.
The patient followed several rehabilitation therapy procedures: speech therapy, psychotherapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, massage and MIRA therapy. Most used games were Catch, Animals and Atlantis, using hand-eye coordination movements.
Assessments were performed at baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment.
We followed the data statistics provided by the MIRA platform from which we emphasize those regarding Distance, Moving Time and Average Acceleration. Analysis of the data demonstrated that the motion becomes linear, with minimum distance and acceleration and a much more controlled and efficient movement for performing the required tasks. The distance performed with the upper limb towards the target is shorter, with minimum oscillating movements. Also, the patient is able to keep his eyes open for much longer (only 20-30 seconds initially) and there is an improvement in body posture (as you can see in the images).
Other improvements were regarding gait and posture, ability to keep eyes open for a prolonged period and an increase in the range of motion of the arm, which are also visible in the Berg (initial score 13/56, final score 26/56) and SARA (initial 32, final 15) scales.
Conclusion
Cerebellar syndrome is a debilitating condition which produces many frustrations, especially to patients that are accustomed to being very active. Rehabilitation must be initiated early and can be extremely complex. Polaris Medical uses a multidisciplinary approach in patient recovery, which was very beneficial to this patient whose condition improved very well in a short time, due to a combined intervention including MIRA therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, face and limbs massage as well as psychotherapy.
The MIRA system tracks various types of motion data in every session (such as acceleration, deceleration, movement time, speed, repetitions) which until now were only observable by a therapist but difficult to quantify otherwise. Furthermore, the patient was always engaged to use the MIRA software platform and motivated to surpass everyday performances (game points), and found the experience interesting and fun. This case study will be followed continuously in the future and more studies will be performed.
About the author
ANAMARIA BADEA
Treatment Base Manager and Physiotherapist at Polaris Medical.
Bio: Anamaria has more than 15 years experience in physiotherapy and occupational therapy practice in the clinic as well as in the patient’s home. She is also very dedicated to improving efficacy in treatment time management, nursing and patient care as well as in coordinating and teaching students in the physiotherapy practice.
Bibliography
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- C. Shawn Green,a Renjie Li,b Daphne Bavelierb . Perceptual Learning During Action Video Game Playing a Department of Psychology, Center for Cognitive Sciences, University of Minnesota b Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester.
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Annex – Scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA)
| Scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA) | |
| Item | Score |
| Gait | 0-normal walk
8-not able to walk |
| Stance | 0-normal
8-unable to stand>10 sec |
| Sitting | 0-normal
4-unable to sit>10 sec |
| Speech | 0-normal speech
6-speech unintelligible |
| Finger chase | 0-no tremor
4 unable to perform 5 pointing movements |
| Nose-finger test | 0-no tremor
4 unable to perform 5 pointing movements |
| Fast alternating hand movements | 0-normal,no irregulaties(performs<10 sec)
4-unable to complete 10 cycles |
| Heel-shin slide | 0-normal
4-unable to perform the task |