Feasibility and Perceptions of Telerehabilitation Using Serious Games for Children with Disabilities in War-Affected Ukraine
This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using serious games for the (tele)rehabilitation of children with disabilities affected by the Ukrainian war. Additionally, it provides requirements for technologies that can be used in war-affected areas. Structured interviews and Likert scale assessm...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8526 |
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| author | Anna Kushnir Oleh Kachmar Bruno Bonnechère |
| author_facet | Anna Kushnir Oleh Kachmar Bruno Bonnechère |
| author_sort | Anna Kushnir |
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| description | This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using serious games for the (tele)rehabilitation of children with disabilities affected by the Ukrainian war. Additionally, it provides requirements for technologies that can be used in war-affected areas. Structured interviews and Likert scale assessments were conducted on-site and remotely with patients of the tertiary care facility in Ukraine. All participants used the telerehabilitation platform for motor and cognitive training. Nine serious games were employed, involving trunk tilts, upper limb movements, and head control. By mid-September 2023, 186 positive user experiences were evident, with 89% expressing interest in continued engagement. The platform’s accessibility, affordability, and therapeutic benefits were highlighted. The recommendations from user feedback informed potential enhancements, showcasing the platform’s potential to provide uninterrupted rehabilitation care amid conflict-related challenges. This study suggests that serious games solutions that suit the sociopolitical and economic context offer a promising solution to rehabilitation challenges in conflict zones. The positive user experiences towards using the platform with serious games indicate its potential in emergency healthcare provision. The findings emphasize the role of technology, particularly serious gaming, in mitigating the impact of armed conflicts on children’s well-being, thereby contributing valuable insights to healthcare strategies in conflict-affected regions. Requirements for technologies tailored to the context of challenging settings were defined. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e741ba22f8734e578687b0c67433e0ef |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-e741ba22f8734e578687b0c67433e0ef2025-08-20T03:36:02ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011515852610.3390/app15158526Feasibility and Perceptions of Telerehabilitation Using Serious Games for Children with Disabilities in War-Affected UkraineAnna Kushnir0Oleh Kachmar1Bruno Bonnechère2Elita Rehabilitation Center, 79000 Lviv, UkraineElita Rehabilitation Center, 79000 Lviv, UkraineREVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, BelgiumThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using serious games for the (tele)rehabilitation of children with disabilities affected by the Ukrainian war. Additionally, it provides requirements for technologies that can be used in war-affected areas. Structured interviews and Likert scale assessments were conducted on-site and remotely with patients of the tertiary care facility in Ukraine. All participants used the telerehabilitation platform for motor and cognitive training. Nine serious games were employed, involving trunk tilts, upper limb movements, and head control. By mid-September 2023, 186 positive user experiences were evident, with 89% expressing interest in continued engagement. The platform’s accessibility, affordability, and therapeutic benefits were highlighted. The recommendations from user feedback informed potential enhancements, showcasing the platform’s potential to provide uninterrupted rehabilitation care amid conflict-related challenges. This study suggests that serious games solutions that suit the sociopolitical and economic context offer a promising solution to rehabilitation challenges in conflict zones. The positive user experiences towards using the platform with serious games indicate its potential in emergency healthcare provision. The findings emphasize the role of technology, particularly serious gaming, in mitigating the impact of armed conflicts on children’s well-being, thereby contributing valuable insights to healthcare strategies in conflict-affected regions. Requirements for technologies tailored to the context of challenging settings were defined.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8526gamificationtelerehabilitationwar exposuredisabled children |
| spellingShingle | Anna Kushnir Oleh Kachmar Bruno Bonnechère Feasibility and Perceptions of Telerehabilitation Using Serious Games for Children with Disabilities in War-Affected Ukraine Applied Sciences gamification telerehabilitation war exposure disabled children |
| title | Feasibility and Perceptions of Telerehabilitation Using Serious Games for Children with Disabilities in War-Affected Ukraine |
| title_full | Feasibility and Perceptions of Telerehabilitation Using Serious Games for Children with Disabilities in War-Affected Ukraine |
| title_fullStr | Feasibility and Perceptions of Telerehabilitation Using Serious Games for Children with Disabilities in War-Affected Ukraine |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feasibility and Perceptions of Telerehabilitation Using Serious Games for Children with Disabilities in War-Affected Ukraine |
| title_short | Feasibility and Perceptions of Telerehabilitation Using Serious Games for Children with Disabilities in War-Affected Ukraine |
| title_sort | feasibility and perceptions of telerehabilitation using serious games for children with disabilities in war affected ukraine |
| topic | gamification telerehabilitation war exposure disabled children |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8526 |
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