Innovative toys turn hand therapy into a more enjoyable and effective experience for children with cerebral palsy

A Research through Design approach combines insights from rehabilitation science, game theory, motivation theory, and human–computer interaction.

Children with cerebral palsy are better able to adhere to their hand therapy at home with the help of playful, smart toys. This is shown by doctoral research conducted by Tamara Pinos Cisneros, PhD candidate at the University of Twente. By integrating therapy into play, children remain motivated without placing additional burden on parents or caregivers. On Friday, 6 February 2026, Pinos Cisneros will defend her dissertation, “Toys4Therapy: Designing Playful Smart Toys to Support Home-Based Hand Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy,” at the University of Twente.

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain, usually occurring before or around birth, which disrupts the transmission of signals to the muscles. As a result, children with cerebral palsy often require long-term hand therapy to improve and maintain their motor functions. In practice, however, it proves difficult to sustain these therapies at home.

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