Actively Recruiting
Testing a Mixed-Reality Video Game for Home-Based Practice of Arm-Hand Skills in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Led by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital · Updated on 2026-01-08
46
Participants Needed
3
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
H
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Lead Sponsor
C
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the use of Bootle Blast, a mixed-reality video game, to improve upper-limb function, activity, and participation in children and youth aged 6 to 17 years with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to test whether families find it feasible and acceptable to use Bootle Blast at home for 12 weeks and whether it shows preliminary improvements compared to usual care. Hemiplegic CP affects one side of the body and impacts arm and hand function, making everyday activities challenging for many children. The study compares an immediate Bootle Blast intervention group to a waitlist comparison group that continues usual care for the first 12 weeks. Bootle Blast is delivered at home using a 3D camera-computer system that tracks skeletal movements and interactions with real objects during gameplay. Children are prescribed 15 to 20 minutes of play, 3 to 4 days per week, for 12 weeks. Some participants also receive weekly 10-minute support calls from a monitoring coach to encourage adherence and engagement. After the initial 12 weeks, groups switch so everyone eventually receives the intervention. Participants complete three in-person assessments at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks, measuring motor skills and participation using standardized tests and questionnaires. The study collects automatic gameplay data, engagement surveys, and coach logs to monitor adherence and acceptability. Researchers will assess recruitment and attrition rates, intervention acceptability, and motor outcome improvements over the 24-week study period. This pilot trial will help inform a larger randomized controlled trial in the future.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Bootle Blast: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
- MACS levels I (handles objects easily) to III (handles objects with difficulty)
- Age between 6 and 17 years
- Sufficient cognitive ability and cooperation to play Bootle Blast and complete assessments
- Ability to communicate in English
- Able to travel to study locations for 3 in-person appointments
- Access to a large screen (e.g. TV) with a play space of about 3m x 3m
- At least intermittent internet access
- Availability to play Bootle Blast for 15-20 minutes per day, 3-4 days per week for 12 weeks
You will not qualify if you...
- Upper limb surgery, botulinum toxin injections in past 4 months, or constraint therapy/casting in past 3 months
- Currently receiving or expecting treatments that affect upper limb function during the study
- Uncontrolled epilepsy that may be triggered by video game play
- Medical conditions preventing safe participation in physical activity with Bootle Blast
- Visual impairments interfering with gameplay
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
3 in-person appointments
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants use the Bootle Blast home-based mixed-reality therapeutic video game for arm-hand skills practice. An occupational therapist calibrates the system to each child’s abilities. Participants complete 12 weeks of home-based play targeting 15-20 minutes per day, 3-4 days per week. Some participants receive weekly phone calls from a monitoring coach for motivational and technical support.
1 baseline visit and 2 follow-up visits (in-person) at weeks 0, 12, and 24
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants continue their usual care which may include routine stretching, maintenance exercises, and consultative visits. Targeted upper-limb therapies are excluded during the study period.
1 baseline visit and 2 follow-up visits (in-person) at weeks 0, 12, and 24
Trial Site Locations
Total: 3 locations
1
Grandview Kids
Ajax, Ontario, Canada, L1T 0R3
Not Yet Recruiting
2
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1H 8L1
Actively Recruiting
3
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4G 1R8
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Selvi Research Coordinator, MEng
G
Gloria Research Manager, MSc
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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