Joystick-controlled video console game practice for developing power wheelchairs users’ indoor driving skills

Wei Pin Huang, Chia Cheng Wang, Jo Hua Hung, Kai Chun Chien, Wen Yu Liu, Chih Hsiu Cheng, How Hing Ng, Yang Hua Lin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of joystick-controlled video console games in enhancing subjects’ ability to control power wheelchairs. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy young adults without prior experience of driving power wheelchairs were recruited. Four commercially available video games were used as training programs to practice joystick control in catching falling objects, crossing a river, tracing the route while floating on a river, and navigating through a garden maze. An indoor power wheelchair driving test, including straight lines, and right and left turns, was completed before and after the video game practice, during which electromyographic signals of the upper limbs were recorded. The paired t-test was used to compare the differences in driving performance and muscle activities before and after the intervention. [Results] Following the video game intervention, participants took significantly less time to complete the course, with less lateral deviation when turning the indoor power wheelchair. However, muscle activation in the upper limbs was not significantly affected. [Conclusion] This study demonstrates the feasibility of using joystick-controlled commercial video games to train individuals in the control of indoor power wheelchairs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)495-498
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Physical Therapy Science
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 The Society of Physical Therapy Science.

Keywords

  • Joystick
  • Power wheelchair
  • Video games

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