Effects of Virtual Reality Interventions on Gross Motor Function in Hemi-paretic Cerebral Palsy

Objectives: It was aimed to analyze effect of virtual reality (VR) games on gross motor function of children with hemi-paretic Cerebral Palsy (HCP). Material and Methods: 20 children with HCP with mean age 10,4 ± 2,92 (12 boys, 8 girls) years were included. Specially programmed virtual reality games for PC SDK software were applied to the children twice a week for 30 minutes for 8 weeks. Gross motor function was evaluated with 1-4 subtests of the Bruininks - Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test Short Form (BOMPT-SF). Intervention effects were analyzed with Repeated Measures ANOVA. Results: 11 of the children were right whereas 9 were left HCP. BOMPT-SF scores were 7,60 ± 3,16 at pre-intervention, 10,75 ± 2,61 at 4th week, 12,65 ± 2,47 at 8th week. Significant increases were found for all subtests of BOMPT-SF(p<0.05). Significant statistical difference were found between strenght and balance subtests (p<0.05). Conclusion: The development of treatment programs with at least four weeks SG intervention in children with HSP may increase the level of gross motor skills like running, balance, bilateral coordination and strength. We think that the more common use of SG applications in rehabilitation practices for HSP will provide more gain in motor skills