Effect of Training Intervention Using Virtual Reality Approach on Proprioceptive Function of Elbow Joint in Hemiplegic Children

Abstract

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of training interventions using the Virtual Reality (VR) approach on the proprioceptive function of elbow joints in children with hemiplegia.Methods: Twenty boys with cerebral palsy, aged 7 to 12 years, were selected based on available sampling by referring to special schools in Tehran and were randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups. Kinect Xbox 360 device (Microsoft, New York, USA) was used as a therapeutic tool for VR interventions. A gyroscope device was used to measure the elbow’s joint position sense. The experimental group participated in the VR program, but the control group continued their traditional therapy program. Paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test were used at the P<0.05 level of significance using SPSS version 18 software.Results: In pre-test phase, no significant difference was found in the joint position sense (t=0.07, df=18, p=0.944). In post-test phase, VR training led to better scores for the experimental group (t=2.3, df = 18, p=0.03). Based on the results of the paired sample t-test, VR training resulted in significant improvement in the joint position sense of experimental group (t=4.061, df = 9, p=0.003).Conclusion: VR can be used as a suitable therapy method to improve the proprioceptive sense in hemiplegic cerebral palsy children. This type of therapy resulted in a significant improvement in the joint position sense of hemiplegic cerebral palsy children, as it lets them explore new experiences that would be difficult or dangerous for them under normal situation.

Keywords

• virtual reality
• xbox
• joint position sense
• cerebral palsy