Greetings!
We are looking for participants who may join our research entitled:
“Developing Immersive Gamification Technology System for Rehabilitation Management of Pediatric Patients with Cerebral Palsy and Mobility Limitations (Phase 2 Trial)”
[UPM REB CODE: 2023-0039-01].
This research project is under the research program “Immersive Technology Applications in Healthcare”, a collaborative effort of the University of the Philippines Diliman and Manila led by Dr. Maria Eliza Aguila as Program Leader through a research grant from the Philippine Council of Health Research of the Department of Science and Technology and the University of the Philippines Manila. Our research team, the Augmented Experience E-health Laboratory (AXEL) research group, is an interdisciplinary team composed of specialists with diverse and extensive experience ranging from design and game development to rehabilitation and healthcare. AXEL is a dynamic research lab that designs and develops immersive technology systems (such as virtual reality [VR]) for healthcare applications. We aim to serve Filipinos with disabilities by providing therapy through virtual experiences that help them accomplish therapy goals in a fun and engaging way.
We are looking for persons with cerebral palsy (CP) who are:
• Aged 6-12 years old
• Diagnosed with mild to moderate CP
• Can handle objects easily and successfully
• Able to follow one-step instructions
• No significant visual impairment
• No hearing impairment requiring hearing aid
• No motion sickness or claustrophobia
• No episodes of seizures or diagnosis of epilepsy
• Can travel to study site for participation
The study aims to determine the clinical effectiveness, safety, and usability of a proposed VR intervention on patients with CP. VR is a technology that uses applications and devices to show a simulation of a three-dimensional environment. For this study, the research team developed “Mission to Planet Axel”, which is a role-playing game where users are tasked to assist a robot captain in its mission to return to its home planet. Its activities are also based on exercises performed by patients with CP in a therapy session that aim to improve balance, gross motor performance, walking speed, and functional mobility. The devices to be used will be either a head-mounted display (HMD) system or a semi-cave automatic virtual environment (semi-CAVE) system.
Volunteers will test the game for 1 hour per session, 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks.
Testing sessions will be conducted at the UP College of Allied Medical Professions Clinic for Therapy Services at the Joaquin Gonzalez Compound on Padre Faura Street corner Ma. Orosa Street.
If interested to join, please fill out this form (https://forms.gle/RyGKjaYpDoQvbWUGA)
and expect a call from us for an interview and preliminary assessment to confirm your participation in the research.
If you wish to know more, please contact us through:
Email: axel@up.edu.ph
Mobile: 09562954001
Thanks again and we look forward to your participation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Maria Eliza R. Aguila
Program Leader
Augmented Experience E-Health Laboratory Research Group