Role of virtual reality for cerebral palsy management

Patrice L. Weiss, Emanuel Tirosh, Darcy Fehlings

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Virtual reality is the use of interactive simulations to present users with opportunities to perform in virtual environments that appear, sound, and less frequently, feel similar to real-world objects and events. Interactive computer play refers to the use of a game where a child interacts and plays with virtual objects in a computer-generated environment. Because of their distinctive attributes that provide ecologically realistic and motivating opportunities for active learning, these technologies have been used in pediatric rehabilitation over the past 15 years. The ability of virtual reality to create opportunities for active repetitive motor/sensory practice adds to their potential for neuroplasticity and learning in individuals with neurologic disorders. The objectives of this article is to provide an overview of how virtual reality and gaming are used clinically, to present the results of several example studies that demonstrate their use in research, and to briefly remark on future developments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1119-1124
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Child Neurology
Volume29
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2014

Keywords

  • autonomic nervous system
  • cerebral palsy
  • exergaming
  • video gaming
  • virtual reality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Clinical Neurology

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