Eye Gaze Gaming Intervention in Children with Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study of Task Performance and Its Relation with Dystonia and Choreoathetosis

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the operational competences screen navigation and dwell function underlying eye gaze performance, and the relation of dystonia and choreoathetosis with eye gaze performance in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP).

Methods: During a 5-week intervention, ten participants with DCP played eye gaze video games daily for 30 minutes. Six games were used to assess task performance, fixation count, and eye movement accuracy during four measurements. Dystonia and choreoathetosis were evaluated using the Dyskinesia Impairment Scale.

Results: Eye gaze performance improved over time (p = .013). Moderate to strong within-subject correlations were found between eye movement accuracy and task performance, and between eye movement accuracy and fixation count. No significant correlations were found with the movement disorders.

Conclusions: Eye gaze technology shows great potential to be a successful computer interface for children with severe DCP, thereby potentially improving their communication skills, participation levels, and quality of life.

Keywords: Dyskinetic cerebral palsy; children; choreoathetosis; dystonia; eye gaze; performance.