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Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation on Upper Extremity Function among Children with Cerebral Palsy
Hyun Jung Chang1, Kyo Hun Ku1, Young Sook Park1
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon 51353, Korea.
Insights
Virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation combined with conventional occupational therapy (COT) significantly improved upper extremity function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This combined approach also reduced the need for caregiver assistance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neuroscience
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience impaired upper extremity function.
- Conventional occupational therapy (COT) is a standard treatment, but its effectiveness can be enhanced.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation combined with COT on upper extremity function in children with CP.
- To assess the effect of this combined therapy on caregiver assistance needs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 17 children with CP undergoing rehabilitation.
- Two groups: VR-based rehabilitation with COT (n=10) using RAPAEL Smart Kids and video games, and COT alone (n=7).
- Outcomes measured by Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) before and after 8 weeks of intervention.
Main Results:
- The VR + COT group showed significant improvements in all QUEST domains and five PEDI domains.
- The COT alone group showed significant improvement only in total QUEST scores.
- The VR + COT group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in five QUEST domains and two PEDI domains compared to the COT alone group.
Conclusions:
- VR-based rehabilitation combined with COT is effective in improving upper extremity function in children with CP.
- This combined therapy may also decrease the burden on caregivers by reducing assistance needs.
Background:
Deterioration in upper extremity function has been a common problem among children with cerebral palsy (CP). The present study evaluated the effects of virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation combined with conventional occupational therapy (COT) on upper extremity function and caregiver assistance among children with CP.
Methods:
Medical records of 17 children with CP who regularly participated in a rehabilitation program at Samsung Changwon Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Ten children received VR-based rehabilitation, which utilized RAPAEL Smart Kids and video games combined with COT. Seven children received COT alone, which was provided by a trained occupational therapist and focused on their upper extremities. Clinical outcomes were determined using the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), which were administered before and 8 weeks after the first intervention session.
Results:
The smart glove (SG) group showed significant improvements in all QUEST domains and five PEDI domains (p < 0.05), whereas the COT group showed a significant change only in total QUEST scores. A comparison between both groups revealed that the SG group had significantly greater improvements in five QUEST domains and two PEDI domains (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that VR-based rehabilitation combined with COT may improve the upper extremity functions and decrease caregiver burden among children with CP.
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