Home-based immersive virtual reality physical rehabilitation in paediatric patients for upper limb motor impairment: a feasibility study

Upper limb motor impairment (ULMI) rehabilitation is a long-term, demanding and challenging process to recover motor functionality. Children and adolescents may be limited in daily life activities due to reduced functions such as decreased joint movement or muscle weakness. Home-based therapy with Immersive Virtual Reality can offer greater accessibility, delivery and early rehabilitation to significantly optimise functional outcomes and quality of life. This feasibility study aimed to explore the perceptions and impacts of an immersive and interactive VR scenario suitable for ULMI rehabilitation for children at home. It was analysed using mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) and from a multidirectional perspective (patients, clinicians and family members). Amongst the main results, it was found that IVR for ULMI home rehabilitation (1) is easy to learn and acceptable; (2) improves motor function; (3) reduces the difficulty in the reproduction of therapeutic movements; (4) is motivating and enjoyable and (5) improves quality of life. This study is the first study on the use of IVR applied to home rehabilitation of ULMI in children. These results suggested that similar outcomes may be possible with self-directed IVR home rehabilitation compared to face to face conventional rehabilitation, which can be costly to both the patient and the healthcare system, decreasing the length of stay at the hospital and treatment duration. It has also presented an innovative solution to the Covid-19 emergency where children could not receive their clinic therapy. Further research is recommended to understand better the mechanisms involved in physiotherapeutic recovery and how IVR rehabilitation helps to improve conventional treatments.

Home-based VR Rehab for Pediatric ULMI: A Feasibility Study

The study explores the perceptions and impacts of immersive and interactive VR scenarios for home-based therapy for children with upper limb motor impairment (ULMI). The results showed that IVR for ULMI home rehabilitation is easy to learn, improves motor function, and is motivating and enjoyable. The study also found that patients achieved post-VR measures equal to the usual degrees of motion at some joint assessed. The study recommended further research to understand the mechanisms involved in physiotherapeutic recovery and how IVR rehabilitation helps to improve conventional treatments.

This research is important because it explores the use of Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) for home-based therapy for children with Upper Limb Motor Impairment (ULMI). This could offer greater accessibility, delivery and early rehabilitation to significantly optimise functional outcomes and quality of life.

Key Takeaways:

1. IVR for ULMI home rehabilitation is easy to learn and acceptable

2. IVR improves motor function and reduces the difficulty in reproducing therapeutic movements

3. IVR is motivating and enjoyable, increasing the child's engagement in the therapy

4. IVR improves quality of life

5. IVR can have a positive impact on patients who are not engaging well with traditional therapy

6. IVR has the potential to improve range of motion and reduce the risk of long-term diseases such as chronic pain and disability

7. The OT's involvement is essential in the initial session to ensure a smooth experience for the patient.