RecruitingInterventional

ReHabGame: a game-based rehabilitation system for motor-impaired individuals

ReHabGame is a study exploring a new, interactive computer game designed to help people who have difficulty moving their arm or hand due to conditions such as a stroke, brain injury, or multiple sclerosis (MS). Traditional exercises can sometimes feel boring, so this game makes therapy more fun by turning it into a game with rewards. Using a special camera, it tracks your arm and hand movements as you control a character on screen, completing tasks like reaching or grasping. The game gives instant feedback and adjusts to your ability, helping you improve. This study wants to see if ReHabGame is helpful and enjoyable, hoping to make rehabilitation more motivating and accessible for people at home.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Anglia Ruskin University

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jul 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2027

Neurological Condition: Diagnosed with stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or multiple sclerosis (MS) that impacts upper-limb motor function.

What is this study about?

ReHabGame is a research study about a new way to help people who have trouble moving their arm or hand. This difficulty can be caused by conditions like a stroke, a brain injury, or multiple sclerosis (MS). These conditions can make everyday tasks, such as eating or writing, much harder. Sometimes, the exercises people do to get better can feel very repetitive or dull.

This study introduces ReHabGame, a computer game designed to make therapy more engaging and enjoyable. Instead of traditional exercises, you play a game where your arm and hand movements control a character on screen. A special camera watches your movements without needing any special devices on your body. As you play, the game gives you immediate feedback and changes based on how you are doing, which helps you get better. The goal is to make rehabilitation feel less like a chore and more like fun, potentially helping you regain more independence.

This is a 'feasibility study,' which means the researchers first want to find out if the game works well in real-world settings, how easy it is for people to join the study and use the game, and if people actually like using it. The information gathered from this study will help them plan a bigger study in the future to see just how effective ReHabGame is.

Key takeaways

ReHabGame is a study about a game for arm/hand rehabilitation.
It aims to make therapy more fun and engaging for people with conditions like stroke or MS.
You play the game for 6-8 weeks, twice a week, for 30 minutes each time.
A camera tracks your movements without any equipment attached to you.
The study wants to see if the game is helpful and enjoyable.
It's exploring a new way to do rehabilitation, potentially for home use.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or older. You should have a neurological condition like a stroke, a brain injury, or multiple sclerosis (MS) that affects how well you can move your arm or hand.

There are also some requirements to make sure the game can help you. For example, you need to have some ability to move your arm and hand – not a complete inability to move it. This ensures you can actually interact with the game. If you have severe stiffness in your arm or hand, or other serious health problems that could make using the game unsafe, you might not be able to take part.

Finally, you need to be willing to commit to using the game for about 6 to 8 weeks and be able to understand and agree to take part in the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a condition like stroke, brain injury, or MS affecting your arm or hand movement?
Can you move your arm and hand a little, allowing you to interact with a game?
Are you able to commit to 2 game sessions a week for 6-8 weeks?
Do you feel well enough overall to comfortably participate in therapy?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in the ReHabGame study, you will use the game for about 6 to 8 weeks. During this time, you will have two short sessions each week, and each session will last about 30 minutes. Your arm and hand movement will be checked with a standard test at the start of the study, and then again right after you finish the 6-8 week program. To see how long any improvements last, your movement will be checked a third time about 6 months later. This follow-up can be done in person or online using Microsoft Teams.

You'll also be asked about your experience with the game – for example, how easy it was to use, if you enjoyed it, and if you would recommend it to others. There is no medication involved in this study, just the use of the game for therapy.

Potential risks and benefits

ReHabGame could potentially offer a new, motivating way for you to do rehabilitation for your arm and hand, which might even be possible to do from home. It's designed to be fun and engaging, which could help you stick with therapy and potentially regain some independence. While the study is generally safe as it's a non-invasive game, there are some minor risks, such as temporary tiredness or very rarely, some people might experience discomfort if they have severe motion sickness, or if they have epilepsy triggered by visual stimuli. You are always free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (2)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Physio4You
City only
Hertford, England
Physio4You
City only
Hertford, England

Common questions

What is ReHabGame?

It's a computer game designed to help people with arm and hand weakness from conditions like stroke or MS, making therapy more engaging.

How does the game track my movements?

It uses a special camera (like a Kinect) to watch your arm and hand movements directly, so you don't need to wear any sensors.

How long does the study last?

You'll use the game for 6 to 8 weeks, with two short sessions per week, and have a follow-up check about 6 months later.

Where is this study taking place?

The study is being run from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK.

What if I don't like the game or want to stop?

You can stop participating in the study at any time, for any reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Hassan Shirvani

hassan.shirvani@aru.ac.uk +44 (0)7912 932859 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.