new video game cloud bazaar aims to make physical therapy fun for kids
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experts say these games could be a great addition to at-home physical therapy programs, as long as they remain accessible.
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a new video game uses motion capture technology to encourage kids with spinal muscular atrophy (sma) to do their physical therapy exercises. experts say the oncoming wave of therapeutic video games could be a major benefit, as long as they stay accessible.
spinal muscular atrophy (sma) causes the loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. the progressive condition, usually diagnosed in childhood, can impact critical functions like breathing or swallowing. there is no cure for sma, but medical treatments may be able to prevent atrophy and preserve physical ability. physical therapy is also a key part of treatment, to maintain strength and nerve health.
however, one of the key issues with physical therapy, says dr. geoff frost, ceo of raft digital therapeutics, is it can be boring — especially for kids. asking children to stay home and perform the same set of basic movements every day can be an exercise in frustration.
“we stopped fighting human nature and started embracing human nature,” he says. “people like stories. they like games … and so we landed on this idea of turning [physical therapy] into a fun game so that it’s something you want to do rather than something you have to do.”
the game, cloud bazaar, uses the computer’s webcam to track the child’s movements, asking them to perform specific exercises — like bicep curls or rotating their shoulder — to make their character move around and progress through the storyline. each movement is designed to help develop patients’ strength for daily tasks, like feeding themselves or putting on a sweater.
“[the video game is] very handy because you know not everyone wants to do the same movements or the same exercises day in day out,” says dr. lawrence korngut, a neurologist, clinical neurophysiologist, director of the calgary neuromuscular program and the calgary als and motor neuron disease clinic, and part of the team behind cloud bazaar. “so, to make it fun — it’s great.”
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physical therapy devices could be game changers if price is right
adherence to at-home exercise programs is a constant concern for rehabilitation professionals, with one study estimating up to 65 per cent of patients will not adhere to or only partially adhere to at-home programs. children pose a unique challenge because it is difficult for them to understand the long-term benefit of these exercises, explains jennifer halfin, a physiotherapist and clinic owner of the toronto midtown kids physio group.
the concept of using video games to encourage children to exercise is not new (early memories of the trend include dance, dance revolution, or the wii console), but technology has taken it to an exciting level, says halfin. now, games don’t only encourage exercise, but can also provide some feedback so the activity is more beneficial.
of course, these technologies need to be accessible to the patients who need them. every extra device is another cost to families already burdened with medical bills and appointments. sma, for example, places a serious financial strain on families. one article on the cost of sma in canada, published in 2021, reported most caregivers spent more than $12,000 of their own money in the year before the study. (frost says they designed the cloud bazaar game to only use a computer’s webcam for this reason.)
“cost and accessibility are something that just needs to be on everyone’s mind, whether it’s going to be for use by hospitals and in clinics … or you’re looking for families to buy it directly,” says halfin. “what sort of classification is it? is it a game or is it a medical device [that could be covered by insurance]?”
levelling the playing field
frost says he eventually wants to create a multiplayer game that patients can play with friends outside of the sma community.
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“you’re quickly humbled when you speak to the kids about what they need and what they want. it’s not what i read about in a textbook,” he says. “one of the things that came out, loud and clear, was that they would love to participate in physical activity the way that their peers without disabilities participate in activity.
“they even talked about things like, ‘some of my friends go to hockey tournaments on the weekend, but i don’t get to do that. i want an outlet that allows me to have that.’”
and while the rise of adaptive technologies can help kids stay active, halfin says there’s no replacement for kids playing in person. assistive technology can, and should, also be used to ensure children of all abilities are included on the ice, field, court or diamond.
emma jones is a multimedia editor with healthing. you can reach her at emjones@postmedia.com or on instagram and twitter @jonesyjourn.
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