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Lozano E.1,2, Potterton J.1
1University of the Witwatersrand, Physiotherapy, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Physiotherapy, Johannesburg, South Africa
Background: Burns are a significant cause of paediatric injuries, particularly in low and middle-income countries, where more than 90% of burn-related paediatric deaths occur. Physiotherapy is an essential, sometimes painful, component of burn rehabilitation therapy. The popularity of the video game use in burns rehabilitation has grown because, in addition to facilitating ROM in an effort to prevent joint contracture formation, the virtual imaging characteristics of these games provides additional benefit of distraction from pain. Video games provide a more efficient, effective and enjoyable method training, and are a helpful adjunct to rehabilitation.
Purpose: The Paediatric Burns Unit (PBU) at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) has recently received a Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect as an adjunct to be used for therapy and rehabilitation. Currently there is limited information and research done in paediatric burns in South Africa and no research done with the use of video games during physiotherapy in South Africa.
Methods: This quasi-experimental time series study took place over a period of time until the total number of children required was achieved for each group. The control group was the first group of 30 children recruited and received standard physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation. The experimental group was the second group of 30 children recruited who received standard physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation as well as the Xbox Kinect. Comparisons were made only after the intervention and analysed. Outcome measures for each participant are ROM, Activities Scale for Kids© participation (ASK©p) and a modified Wong-Baker FACES® enjoyment rating scale. On discharge from the unit, ROM assessments and the modified Wong-Baker FACES® enjoyment rating scale were administered. On follow-up, ROM re-assessments were done and the ASK©p was administered.
Results: Seventy children were recruited into the study of which the data for 66 were analysed. No significant difference was found between groups regarding demographic characteristics, the median age was seven years old and 45% of the participants were female. Both groups showed severity of superficial partial burn injury, 57.1% for the control group and 61.3% for the intervention group. Both groups showed 50% of injury causes related to hot water followed by flame burns accounting for 30%. The median burn percentage was eight and ten for the control and intervention groups respectively. In the intervention group 75% of the children received 2 or more Xbox Kinect sessions. The median enjoyment score value of the Xbox Kinect group was significantly better (p= 0.000). Burn percentage proved to be a significant predictor of ASK©p scores (p= 0.000) (t-test). Age, treatment group and gender had no significant impact on the ASK©p scores.
Conclusion(s): From the results of this study the use of the Xbox Kinect was found to have a significant positive impact on rehabilitation that therapists may use as part of paediatric burns rehabilitation. Regardless of the treatment received, burn percentage showed to be the main predictor influencing ASK©p scores and how children view their participation following burns injury.
Implications: The use of the Xbox Kinect demonstrates a fun and enjoyable adjunct to physiotherapy for children affected by burns
Funding acknowledgements: This work was self-funded by the author
Topic: Paediatrics
Ethics approval: Received from the Committee for Research on Human Subjects of the University of the Witwatersrand (No. M150727) and from CHBAH
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
