The effect of virtual reality balance training on the balance and the ability in the activities of daily living of children with cerebral palsy / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To observe the effect of virtual reality (VR) balance training on the balance and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) of children with cerebral palsy.Methods:Forty children with spastic cerebral palsy were divided at random into an intervention group (21 cases) and a control group (19 cases). All received 30 minutes of daily routine rehabilitation training, including therapeutic exercise, occupational therapy and home rehabilitation training. Everyone also received 20 minutes of balance training 5 days a week for 3 months. That included sitting and standing balance training and training in transferring the center of gravity. Beyond that the intervention group additionally trained on the Biomaster virtual reality training system doing image matching, playing football and skiing. Before the experiment and after 1 and 3 months, both groups′ balance trajectory length, peripheral area, and the unit area the trajectory length were documented and also using the Berg balance scale (BBS). ADL ability was quantified using the modified Barthel index (MBI).Results:①After the 3 months of training there was a significant improvement in the average trajectory length, peripheral area and unit area trajectory length of both groups sitting and standing. The average values of the intervention group were, however, significantly superior to the control group′s averages. ②After the 3 months there were also significant improvements in the groups′ average BBS and MBI scores, again with significantly greater improvement in the intervention group.Conclusion:Virtual reality balance training can significantly improve the balance function and ADL ability of children with cerebral palsy.