Assessing the Effectiveness of Customized Computer Activities on Reducing Stereotypies and Improving Independent Upper Extremity Motor Skills in Persons with Rett Syndrome
Georgetown University
Summary
Using a tele-research approach, we will recruit, enroll, guide and support carers and participants to engage in computer based activities (modified virtual reality) with the primary outcome of reducing stereotypies and increasing independent arm and hand use and secondary outcome of improving quality of living. Because of our virtual approach, we are able to recruit from multiple countries and all states and territories of the USA.
Description
Early in life, individuals with Rett syndrome lose purposeful use of their hands and engage in handwringing and handmouthing stereotypies. It is important to pursue interventions that may facilitate the development and sustained use of arms/hands for productive involvement in daily needs that ultimately improve quality of life. Investigators plan to use a tele-research approach to assist caregivers and the participants in playing customized computer generated games that require independent and sustained hand separations and initiated and sustained movement patterns to control the modified virt…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 4–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Rett syndrome, * Understanding of cause and effect, * Functional range of motion of arms to complete the movements needed to control the games. Exclusion Criteria: * no competing orthopedic or neuromuscular diagnosis that impacts shoulder movements
Interventions
- BehavioralModified Virtual Reality Gaming
Investigators customize each gaming session based on the motivators and interests of each participant. The intervention facilitates independent hand separations (minimizing stereotypies) and encourages independent arm/hand movement that serves to activate or control the computer-generated activities.
Location
- Georgetown University School of MedicineWashington D.C., District of Columbia