Effectiveness of virtual reality training compared to balance-specific training and conventional training on balance and gross motor functions of children with cerebral palsy: A double blinded randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of a virtual reality rehabilitation-based training (VRT) with balance-specific training (BST) and conventional training (CT) on the balance and gross motor functions (GMF) of children with cerebral palsy (CwCP). METHODS: This study was a double blinded, randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited from different CP rehabilitation centers and clinics and were then randomly allocated using the block randomization method into three groups: (1) group 1 (VRT using a set of Xbox 360 games that triggered balance), (2) group 2 (BST applying a protocol of 13 exercises to enhance balance in different conditions), and (3) control group 3 (CT using traditional physiotherapy techniques). All groups received 18 sessions over six weeks, three sessions per week, each lasting 60 minutes. Participants were assessed at three timepoints (baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up) using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM D & E), the Five Times Sit-To-Stand Test, and upper and lower segments' center of mass (COM) displacement (UCOM and LCOM). RESULTS: A total of 46 CwCP participated in this study. The repeated measures ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference between groups in the dependent variables, except for the GMFM (D & E) and the PBS (p < 0.05 and partial η2 = 0.473). The post-hoc test showed a statistically significant difference in favor of the VRT group compared to other groups in terms of right UCOM (p < 0.05) with a large effect size of the time*group interaction (partial η2 = 0.87). Moreover, there was a statistically significant effect of time (i.e., baseline to post-treatment and baseline to follow-up) with F (18, 23) = 59.954, p < 0.05, Wilks' lambda = 0.021, partial η2 = 0.979. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that VRT was not superior to BST in the rehabilitation of balance and GMF in CwCP aged four to 12 years. However, when compared to CT, better results were reported. Furthermore, it appears that customized programs lead to greater improvements in balance than commercial programs. Future studies are needed to assess the physiological effects of the three types of rehabilitation interventions using more advanced measurement tools, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, following VRT protocols.

Motives for physical activity participation among lebanese adults aged 18 to 50 years: a cross-sectional study / Motivos para participação de atividade física em libanes adultos de 18 a 50 anos: um estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Background: Sports participation motivations can be intrinsic, extrinsic, or even amotivational. Few studies on adult participation in PA have been found in the Lebanese context. This study aims to: a) investigate significant differences in sports participation motivation across gender, age, occupation, and time of practice, and b) investigate sports participation motives that discriminated the best between those variables. Material and methods: The Arabic version of the Sport Motivation Scale was collected electronically from 531 volunteers practicing regular PA for the last six months. Gender, occupation, marital status, and time of practice were all analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal Wallis Test with 0.05 as level of significance. Results: Internal motivation subscales (particularly the intention to accomplish) were the most influential motives for both genders. A significant difference across gender was reported in the extrinsic motivation and amotivation subscales. Furthermore, age, occupation, marital status, and time of practice show significant differences in motivation factors either dependent or regardless of gender distribution (p<0.05). Conclusion: no significant differences in the intrinsic motivation for sports participation between genders. Other factors, on the other hand, had a substantial impact. Research contribution: these findings are intended to contribute to a better understanding of differences in motivation for participating in PA and to aid in its promotion among Lebanese adults

RESUMO Contexto: As motivações para a participação desportiva podem ser intrínsecas, extrínsecas ou mesmo amotivacionais. Poucos estudos sobre a participação de adultos em AF foram encontrados no contexto libanês. Este estudo tem como objetivos: a) investigar diferenças significativas na motivação para a prática desportiva em função do género, idade, profissão e tempo de prática, e b) investigar os motivos da prática desportiva que melhor discriminaram entre essas variáveis. Material e métodos: A versão árabe da Sport Motivation Scale foi coletada eletronicamente de 531 voluntários praticantes regulares de AF nos últimos seis meses. Gênero, ocupação, estado civil e tempo de atuação foram analisados por meio do teste U de Mann-Whitney e do teste de Kruskal Wallis com nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados: As subescalas de motivação interna (particularmente a intenção de realizar) foram os motivos mais influentes para ambos os sexos. Uma diferença significativa entre os gêneros foi relatada nas subescalas de motivação extrínseca e amotivação. Além disso, idade, ocupação, estado civil e tempo de prática mostram diferenças significativas nos fatores de motivação dependentes ou independentes da distribuição por gênero (p<0,05). Conclusão: não houve diferenças significativas na motivação intrínseca para a prática desportiva entre os sexos. Outros fatores, por outro lado, tiveram um impacto substancial. Contribuição da pesquisa: esses achados pretendem contribuir para uma melhor compreensão das diferenças na motivação para participar da AF e auxiliar na sua promoção entre adultos libaneses.