Bootle Blast home-based video-game therapy for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy
Official title: Testing a Mixed-Reality Video Game for Home-Based Practice of Arm-Hand Skills for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital · NCT07289360 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This pilot will test whether Bootle Blast, a movement-tracking video game played at home, can improve arm and hand function in children aged 6–17 with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 46 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Ajax, Ontario and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 6, 2025 |
| Main results expected | January 2027 |
| Study ends | January 2027 |
| Registry record updated | January 8, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07289360 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 6–17 with a diagnosis of hemiplegic cerebral palsy, MACS levels I–III, who can communicate in English, follow instructions, have a suitable 3×3 m play space and large screen at home, intermittent internet access, and can attend three in-person visits.
✕Probably not a fit
Children who recently had upper-limb surgery or botulinum toxin injections, who will receive concurrent active upper-limb treatments, who have uncontrolled photosensitive epilepsy, lack the required home space or technology, or cannot commit to the practice schedule are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot randomized controlled trial randomly assigns children with hemiplegic CP to 12 weeks of home-based Bootle Blast therapy or to standard care. Bootle Blast uses skeletal motion tracking and real-world object interactions to deliver individualized, gamified practice sessions of 15–20 minutes per day, 3–4 days per week. Participants must attend three in-person visits at Holland Bloorview, Grandview, or CHEO for setup and outcome assessments, with measures focused on upper limb function, adherence, and feasibility. As a pilot, the trial will generate feasibility data and preliminary outcome estimates to design a larger definitive RCT.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Bootle Blast could make arm and hand therapy more engaging and accessible at home, improving functional use and adherence while reducing travel and costs for families.
How similar studies have gone: Small pilots and feasibility studies of gamified, home-based upper-limb therapies have shown promising engagement and some functional gains, but large randomized trials are still limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy * MACS levels I (handles objects easily) to III (handles objects with difficulty) * Aged 6 to 17 years with sufficient cognitive capacity and cooperation to play Bootle Blast and complete outcome assessments * Ability to communicate in English * Able to travel to Holland Bloorview, Grandview or CHEO and complete a total of 3 in-person study appointments * Has a large screen (e.g. TV) with an appropriate play space (3m x 3m) in front * At least intermittent access to the internet * Have time to play Bootle Blast for 15-20 minutes/day, 3-4 days/week for 12 weeks. Exclusion Criteria: * Received upper limb surgery, botulin toxin injections in the past 4 months, or constraint therapy/casting in the previous 3 months that may be associated with changing abilities * Currently or anticipates receiving active treatments impacting upper limb function during the study period * Uncontrolled epilepsy that may be triggered by video game play * Medical condition impeding safe participation in physical activity associated with Bootle Blast * Visual limitations that interfere with Bootle Blast play
Where it's running
-
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Recruiting -
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting -
Grandview Kids
Ajax, Ontario, Canada Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Elaine Biddiss, PhD — Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Bloorview Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Selvi Research Coordinator, MEng
- Email: ssert@hollandbloorview.ca
- Phone: 416-425-6220
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.