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Using Virtual Reality to Transfer Motor Skill Knowledge from One Hand to Another
Published on: September 18, 2017
Effects of a multi-component virtual reality program on motor skills and functional postural control in children with
Meysam Roostaei1, Marzieh Babaee2, Seyedmostafa Alavian3
1Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Virtual reality (VR) shows promise for improving motor skills and balance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). This VR program demonstrated significant functional gains, suggesting its potential as a novel neurorehabilitation tool.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Pediatric neurorehabilitation increasingly utilizes virtual reality (VR) for innovative treatment modalities.
- Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) presents challenges in motor skills and postural control in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a multi-component VR program.
- To evaluate improvements in motor skills and functional postural control for pediatric HCP patients.
Main Methods:
- Employed a single-case experimental design with eight children diagnosed with HCP (GMFCS levels I-II).
- Administered a four-week VR program, with three sessions weekly.
- Utilized standardized assessments including the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), ABILHAND-Kids, Activities Scale for Kids (ASK), and Box and Block Test (BBT).
Main Results:
- Seven of eight participants showed significant improvements in functional postural control on at least one balance measure.
- All participants demonstrated significant increases in Box and Block Test (BBT) scores.
- Statistically significant improvements were noted in PBS, ABILHAND-Kids, and ASK scores post-intervention.
Conclusions:
- The multi-component VR program shows early evidence of effectiveness for children with HCP.
- Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is necessary to confirm long-term effects and compare VR with conventional therapies.
Background:
Pediatric neurorehabilitation has recently employed virtual reality (VR) technologies as a platform to design and implement novel modalities.
Aims:
To evaluate the feasibility of a multi-component VR-based program on motor skills and functional postural control for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP).
Methods:
A single-case-experimental design was conducted on eight children with HCP (12.33 ± 4.71 years and GMFCS= II, I). The VR-based program consisted of 3 sessions per week for four weeks. Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Functional Reach Test (FRT), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Activities Scale for Kids (ASK), ABILHAND-Kids, and Box and Block Test (BBT) were used to evaluate functional changes.
Outcomes And Results:
Statistical analysis showed that improvements in functional postural control were significant on at least one balance measure for seven out of eight participants during the intervention phase. For all participants, a significant increase was observed in the BBT scores. Before-after intervention analysis revealed statistically significant improvements in PBS (z = -2.52, p ≤ 0.01), ABILHAND-Kids (z = -2.25, p ≤ 0.01), and ASK (z = -2.38, p ≤ 0.01).
Conclusions And Implications:
This study provided early evidence of the effectiveness of the multi-component VR-based program in children with HCP. However, future studies with randomized controlled trial design are needed to evaluate the long-term effects and compare them with conventional rehabilitation practice.
