A Virtual Reality Exergame: Clinician-Guided Breathing and Relaxation for Children with Muscular Dystrophy

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Virtual Reality Technology

Background:

• Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) causes respiratory muscle dysfunction and anxiety.
• Managing DMD requires frequent specialist visits, often hindered by access and proximity issues.
• Telehealth solutions are needed to improve care access and quality of life for DMD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a VR-based exergame for breathing and relaxation in individuals with DMD.
• To assess the feasibility of a VR tool incorporating telehealth and shared patient-clinician interaction.
• To evaluate the system's potential for remote care and home-based exercise programs.

Main Methods:

• Development of a VR exergame focusing on breathing control, relaxation, and respiratory muscle exercise.
• Integration of physiological sensors for real-time patient feedback and clinician analytics.
• Evaluation of the system with 13 participants, including 4 individuals with DMD, through surveys and interviews.

Main Results:

• The VR exergame demonstrated feasibility for telehealth and home use.
• Participants, including those with DMD, provided positive feedback on the tool.
• The system supports both mindfulness training and respiratory exercise relevant to DMD care.

Conclusions:

• VR-based exergames offer a promising approach for managing respiratory and anxiety symptoms in DMD.
• The developed system has significant potential for improving accessibility and engagement in DMD care through telehealth.
• This technology can enhance the quality of life for individuals with DMD by facilitating remote and home-based therapeutic interventions.