Ask HN: Helping a stroke victim regain hand-eye coordination with video games?

5 points by MrWiffles 3 years ago | 3 comments

I've got a friend's dad who's a three-time stroke victim. Prior to the first, dude was left handed. Knowing the guy, I think he'd really enjoy the Halo series of video games or something adjacent, but with his left hand being pretty addled and that being his formerly dominant hand, I'm really worried that being now in his late 60's he'd be really really reluctant to even try.

My thinking, and the reason I'm asking here, is that if I could somehow get him to give it a try, maybe his brain could form some resistance to further degeneration to at the very least resist or delay the inevitable through enjoying an experience that would build up a neuro-adaptive/hand-eye coordinative system as a result of that enjoyment/entertainment experience (provided I could "sell" him on giving it a try).

Is there any research or even any anecdotal experience on this being a viable theory in the slightest? Anyone out there think I'm even remotely batshit crazy with this idea, emotional affinity for the medium outstanding? If I'm nuts in even considering this, fine, no problem - I'd rather that than waste his time or mine - but if there's anything to my theory in the slightest, even if a remote possibility at best, I'd rather give it a try than not, provided, of course, it bears the slightest chance of success if vetted by another that's either seen such success of possess the medical credibility to conceive of the same (which I do not).

Thanks for the opinions, HN. Have a nice weekend!

aborsy 3 years ago |

Just think about it: stork is among top causes of mortality and morbidity in the world. Billions of dollars are poured into such major medical conditions. You think you can improve a stroke patient by video games, and that’s not in the Wikipedia, or instructed by his neurologist?

On a more serious note, here is an explanation.

Neurons are types of cells that don’t regenerate, unlike, say, the tissue in your hand that can repair itself. There is research on stem cells, which is sort of a trick, but that might take decades to be practical and safe, if ever.

It remains neuroplasticty, namely, the ability of the brain to rewire itself. This means, healthy parts of the brain learn to perform tasks of the damaged tissue. Neuroplasticity is relevant early in childhood and rapidly fades. The brain of an adult is mostly fixed, to put it in layman terms (although, as usual, there is a lot of heterogeneity in biology). The way you harness neuroplasticity is via rehabilitation. This is mostly effective early on already in ICU, or right after discharge until 6 months (golden period). The results are limited, and determined by age, start time of rehab and quality of the program. Again, there is research that rehab is a lifelong process, but there will be diminishing returns.

Lastly, stroke treatment hinges on preserving the remaining functions, and preventing complications secondary to stroke. Really, all functions are at risk, depending on the stroke volume, including elevated chance of additional stroke: swallowing, speech, sensorymotor functions, spasms, vision, language, etc. So I recommend that you go ahead with your suggestion, continuing rehab and support. The goal is to maintain mobility, preserve what is left and keep up spirit!

There is research in rehab journals on the use of robotic devices that involve also computer puzzles or games. Those interventions are designed by specialists, and administered with right dose, to challenge the patient at the right level. You might be better off to ask his rehab therapist (not neurologist).

solardev 3 years ago | |

They must be dropping a lot of babies these days...

solardev 3 years ago |

It's an interesting question academically, but who is going to fund the research for that? I wonder about the crossover between rehab therapists vs gamers. Maybe it's worth a literature review to see if people have tried?

As for your 60 year old friend, probably the more difficult thing is just convincing them to give it a serious try. They've avoided it for 60 years for a reason, presumably, and at that age they are unlikely to change much... people get set in their ways and their neuroplasticity decreases long before then.