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Home-Based Immersive Virtual Reality to Improve Motor Performance in Children and Adolescents With Developmental
Mohammed Alharbi1,2, David Harris1, Helen Dodd1
1Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, St. Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, United Kingdom, 44 1392 661000.
JMIR Serious Games
|March 16, 2026
Summary
Immersive virtual reality (VR) games may improve motor skills and enjoyment in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). This study found VR gameplay led to greater improvements than tablet games, suggesting VR as a potential rehabilitation tool.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Motor learning
- Human-computer interaction
Background:
- Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) face motor challenges impacting daily life and physical activity.
- Immersive virtual reality (VR) presents a novel approach for motor practice with rich feedback, yet its efficacy in DCD populations requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of an immersive VR rhythm game versus tablet-based gameplay on motor performance, enjoyment, and motivation in children and adolescents with DCD.
- To assess the feasibility of home-based VR interventions for this population.
Main Methods:
- A crossover study involving 27 children and adolescents (aged 10-16) diagnosed with DCD.
- Participants completed two 5-day home-based interventions: VR (Beat Saber) and tablet (Cut the Rope), separated by a washout period.
- Motor performance was assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Third Edition (MABC-3) and Box and Block Test; enjoyment, motivation, and feelings were also measured.
Main Results:
- VR gameplay demonstrated significantly greater improvements in the Box and Block Test for both dominant and non-dominant hands compared to tablet gameplay.
- While not statistically significant for all domains, exploratory analyses showed pre-post improvements in MABC-3 scores within the VR condition.
- Children reported higher enjoyment, motivation, and positive feelings during VR gameplay sessions compared to tablet sessions.
Conclusions:
- Home-based immersive VR rhythm games show promise as an engaging intervention for children with DCD, potentially enhancing motor performance and motivation more than traditional tablet games.
- VR may serve as a valuable adjunct to pediatric rehabilitation, increasing movement practice, though further research with larger, longer trials is needed to confirm clinical benefits and identify optimal game features.
