Developing an Immersive Virtual Reality Training System for Novel Pediatric Power Wheelchair Users: Protocol for a...

Area of Science:

• Assistive Technology
• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Virtual Reality in Healthcare

Background:

• Traditional power wheelchair training methods present accessibility and safety challenges for children with physical limitations.
• Immersive virtual reality technology (IVRT) offers a promising alternative for skills training, with demonstrated feasibility in adults.
• A need exists to develop and evaluate IVRT for pediatric power wheelchair users.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an IVRT training intervention for pediatric power wheelchair skill development.
• To utilize expert feedback and an iterative design process for intervention refinement.

Main Methods:

• A 3-phase feasibility study involving clinicians and pediatric power wheelchair users.
• Phase 1: Clinician feedback on a baseline IVRT intervention.
• Phases 2 & 3: User feedback and skills transfer assessment of refined IVRT interventions using mixed methods.

Main Results:

• Study approved by ethics board; Phase 1 testing commenced in February 2022.
• Data collection and iterative refinement of the IVRT intervention are ongoing.
• The study is projected for completion in 2023.

Conclusions:

• The study will yield a refined IVRT training intervention for pediatric power wheelchair users.
• Findings will inform future research on virtual reality-based rehabilitation for children.