[senit] Children required for a fun! research study

I'm currently carrying out a research project here at Oxford Brookes 
looking at children with a neuromotor disability (e.g. Cerebral Palsy) 
and their sitting ability after using a modified game controller to play 
computer games. To operate the game the child sits on a small platform 
(can be embedded in a cushion) and leans forward/back left/right - 
affecting the centre of pressure on the platform. This in turn allows 
the cursor to move on the screen. The end result could be that the 
device becomes a useful adjunct to a therapists regular treatment of 
sitting ability (e.g. exercises) and something that the child is 
self-motivated to use. (and yes, it could also be a useful input method 
but that is a bit further down the track..!)

Its quite a fun bit of kit and the responses we have had so far are 
quite encouraging. However we need some more children for the study and 
recruitment has dried up a little. One thought I've had is to contact 
SENCO's/education specialists who may be seeing those children who are 
not necessarily being regularly seen by community therapists - hence 
this mail to the senit list.

There are some specific criteria which I won't bore the list with apart 
from the fact that children need to be cognitively able to understand 
and have the attention to involve themselves with a new method of 
computer interaction / computer game. As well as this we the children 
involved need to have a certain level of sitting ability that could be 
improved, e.g. those children who may be wheelchair users or require 
help walking are things to look out for.

If you can think of any potential children who may enjoy the chance to 
play with some computer games - or would just like to find out more - 
please get in touch! Ideally we are looking for children from 
Oxfordshire and Sussex but we are will go further afield if necessary. 
Feel free to give me a ring ( 01865 482712) or reply by email.

Will

-- 

Will Wade - Occupational Therapy Researcher
Oxford Brookes University
School of Health & Social Care
Marston Campus
Jack Straws Lane
Oxford OX3 0FL
tel:      01865-482712
email:    willwade at brookes.ac.uk 