Non-immersive virtual reality based treatment for children with unilateral cerebral palsy: Preliminary results

• DOI: 10.3233/prm-230028
• Publication Date: 2024-03-15T16:05:21Z
• Authors: Paolo Meriggi; Martina Mandalà; Mattia Randazzo; Elena Brazzoli; Anna Castagna; Valentina Di Giusto; Anna Cavallini; Alberto Marzegan; Tiziana Lencioni; Ivana Olivieri
• Keywords: 0302 clinical medicine; 0305 other medical science; Virtual reality; hemiplegic children; rehabilitation; unilateral cerebral palsy; upper limb function; Research Article

PURPOSE: Unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) represents about 30–40% of overall diagnoses. Upper limb impairment has a significant negative impact on activities daily living (ADL), and recent studies have shown that the use virtual reality (VR) can increase motivation promote an improvement in ADL. This preliminary study was aimed at exploring acceptability usability VR rehabilitation treatment, using VITAMIN Platform, for children with UCP. A secondary goal to compare results usual standardized clinical scales questionnaires kinematic as well quantitative measures acquired by platform each exercise sessions. METHODS: Six UCP (aged 7–15) were recruited investigation non-immersive system. The treatment composed 10 weekly sessions 45 minutes. Each child played five types exergames, impaired upper hit objects projected wide screen. Standardized scales, analysis, used extensively assess function before end treatment. Five typically-developing provided reference instrumented assessment. RESULTS: At Melbourne Assessment 2 (MA2) scores increased all participants (mean range movement (ROM) + 19.1%, accuracy 4.6%, dexterity 13.1%, fluency 10.3%). Shoulder flexion-extension ROM also improved 10.5°), according shoulder movements became more similar profiles. These confirmed general performing ADL, assessed ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire. Finally, agreement among different indexes emerged from data. CONCLUSION: show could be engaging functional good qualitative confirms potential such novel However, due limited sample size small number sessions, further larger investigations are required evaluate effectiveness generalize results.