JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Background:

Hand rehabilitation is essential for restoring autonomy and daily functioning in patients with neurological, traumatic, and rheumatic conditions. Sensor-based exergame systems may complement conventional rehabilitation by promoting engagement and providing objective motor performance feedbaForty-two participants were allocated to a control group (CG; n=21) or experimental group (EG; n=21). Both groups were scheduled to receive a two-week rehabilitation program (five sessions/week). The CG received conventional therapy, whereas the EG additionally performed 15–20 minutes of eJamar-based exergames per session. Assessments were conducted at baseline (t₀), postintervention (t₁), and one-month follow-up (t₂). Outcomes included manual dexterity, grip and muscle strength, range of motion (ROM), pain, and hand function. Longitudinal changes were assessed using mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA, and between-group differences at follow-up were evaluated using baseline-adjusted ANCOVA.ck.

Objective:

To compare conventional hand rehabilitation with a combined intervention incorporating an eJamar-based exergame system.

Methods:

Forty-two participants were allocated to a control group (CG; n=21) or experimental group (EG; n=21). Both groups were scheduled to receive a two-week rehabilitation program (five sessions/week). The CG received conventional therapy, whereas the EG additionally performed 15–20 minutes of eJamar-based exergames per session. Assessments were conducted at baseline (t₀), postintervention (t₁), and one-month follow-up (t₂). Outcomes included manual dexterity, grip and muscle strength, range of motion (ROM), pain, and hand function. Longitudinal changes were assessed using mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA, and between-group differences at follow-up were evaluated using baseline-adjusted ANCOVA.

Results:

Thirty-three participants completed t₂ (CG=16; EG=17). Significant Time effects were observed for 10 of 15 clinical outcomes. The Box and Block Test for the more affected side (BBT-MAS) was the only outcome showing a significant Time × Group interaction (P=.04). Baseline-adjusted analyses showed a significant between-group difference for wrist ROM-MAS at t₂ (P=.02). Medical Research Council scale scores for the MAS (MRC-MAS) showed a significant conditional between-group difference at t₁ (P<.001), which was not maintained at t₂ (P=.40). Most other between-group comparisons were not significant

Conclusions:

The addition of eJamar-based exergames to conventional hand rehabilitation was feasible in this clinical setting and was associated with significant between-group differences only for selected outcomes and assessment points. No consistent additional benefit over conventional rehabilitation was demonstrated across the assessed clinical outcomes. Given the nonrandomized design, baseline group differences, small and heterogeneous sample, and greater therapeutic exposure in the EG, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Larger randomized controlled studies are needed to determine whether eJamar-based exergames provide clinically meaningful benefits beyond conventional rehabilitation Clinical Trial: Not applicable