Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Virtual reality-based home accident control simulation combined with first aid training to enhance awareness in
Gonul Ertunc Gulcelik1, Tulay Ortabag2, Sila Yilmaz3,4
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kocaeli Health and Technology University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
Insights
Parents of children with special needs can improve home accident awareness and response skills. A virtual reality simulation combined with first aid training showed positive effects on parental preparedness for home accidents.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Safety
- Rehabilitation Technology
- Parental Education
Background:
- Children with special needs face elevated risks of home accidents, particularly falls, due to motor control challenges.
- These children have a higher incidence of emergency department visits compared to typically developing peers.
- Balance impairments significantly contribute to the increased fall risk in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a virtual reality (VR)-based home accident simulation and first aid training on parental awareness and initial responses.
- To assess the effectiveness of this combined intervention for parents of children with special needs.
Main Methods:
- A single-group, pre-post quasi-experimental design involving 100 parents of children with special needs.
- Intervention included VR simulation for home accident scenarios, supplemented with first aid and transfer training.
- Data collection utilized descriptive forms, a home accident awareness questionnaire, and balance assessments (Children's Balance Assessment Form, Tinetti, Wii Fit Balance Board) to gauge fall risk.
Main Results:
- The study aims to assess the effects of the VR simulation and first aid training on parental awareness and response to home accidents.
- Balance status of children will be assessed to determine their specific fall risks.
Conclusions:
- The findings are expected to inform the development of effective safety interventions for families of children with special needs.
- Dissemination of results will occur through peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences.
Introduction:
Children with special needs frequently experience accidents and injuries due to motor control difficulties. The most common home accidents include falls, burns, poisoning, drowning and choking. Compared to their typically developing peers, children with special needs are at a higher risk of home accidents and emergency department visits. Falls related to balance impairments are especially common in this population. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a virtual reality-based home accident control simulation combined with first aid training on the awareness and initial responses to home accidents of parents of children with special needs, using a single-group pre-post quasi-experimental design.
Methods And Analysis:
This quasi-experimental study, using a pre-test/post-test design, is planned to include 100 volunteer parents of children with special needs who are registered at a Barrier-Free Life Application and Research Centre. The parents will receive training on home accidents via virtual reality simulation, supplemented by first aid and transfer training. Data will be collected using the Descriptive Information Form and the Home Accident Awareness Questionnaire for Parents of Children with Special Needs. Children's balance status will be assessed to determine their fall risk using the Children's Balance Assessment Form, the Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment and the Nintendo Wii Fit Balance Board.
Ethics And Dissemination:
Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Istanbul Topkapi University. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences.
Trial Registration Number:
NCT06839196 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
Protocol Version:
1.2; Protocol Date: 30 April 2025. All items from the WHO Trial Registration Data Set are available in the registry record.
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