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Published on: June 9, 2020
Consequences of Virtual Reality Experience on Biomechanical Gait Parameters in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A
Regine Lohss1,2, Marco Odorizzi1, Morgan Sangeux1,2
1Laboratory for Movement Analysis, University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland.
Insights
Virtual reality (VR) can enhance gait analysis in children with cerebral palsy by providing controlled walking challenges. However, research is emerging, with inconsistent methods and limited data, especially for overground walking.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Virtual reality (VR) offers a controlled environment for gait analysis, integrating motion tracking to introduce specific walking challenges.
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts gait biomechanics, necessitating advanced assessment tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and summarize existing evidence on the effects of virtual reality interventions on biomechanical gait parameters in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases.
- Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, examining VR-based treadmill (n=6) or overground (n=1) walking in pediatric CP populations.
- Two independent reviewers screened 7,574 retrieved studies.
Main Results:
- Spatiotemporal parameters like walking speed, stride length, step width, and stance phase were frequently reported.
- Kinematic parameters, including range of knee flexion and peak ankle dorsiflexion, were also commonly assessed.
- Significant inconsistencies were noted in methodological approaches and the reporting of results across the included studies.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality (VR) shows potential as a complementary tool to traditional clinical gait analysis for children with cerebral palsy.
- The field of VR in pediatric gait analysis is still developing, with a need for more research, particularly concerning overground walking assessments.
Abstract:
Virtual reality (VR), coupled with motion tracking, can investigate walking in a controlled setting while applying various walking challenges. The purpose of this review was to summarize the evidence on consequences of VR on biomechanical gait parameters in children with cerebral palsy. MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science were searched. Among 7.574 studies, screened by two independent reviewers, seven studies were included, analyzing treadmill (n = 6) or overground walking (n = 1) under VR. Most frequently reported were the spatiotemporal parameters walking speed, stride length, step width, stance phase, and the kinematic parameters range of knee flexion and peak ankle dorsiflexion. However, methodological approaches and reporting of the results were inconsistent among studies. This review reveals that VR can complement information gained from clinical gait analysis. However, this is still an emerging field of research and there is limited knowledge on the effect of VR on gait parameters, notably during overground walking.
