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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 Mar 1;102(3):198-205.
doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002060. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Effect of a Virtual Reality-Mediated Gamified Rehabilitation Program on Upper Limb Functions in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study

Ahmet Kivanc Menekseoglu  1 , Nalan Capan, Sina Arman, Ayse Resa Aydin
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of a Virtual Reality-Mediated Gamified Rehabilitation Program on Upper Limb Functions in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study

Ahmet Kivanc Menekseoglu et al. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of a virtual reality-mediated gamified rehabilitation program on upper limb functions, skills, range of motion, muscle tone, and quality of life in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Design: This prospective, randomized, and controlled study included 36 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Children were randomized into two groups, the virtual reality group ( n = 18) and the control group ( n = 18). Stretching and range-of-motion exercises were performed on the affected upper limb of the children in both groups. In addition to this exercise program, in the virtual reality group, virtual reality-mediated upper limb rehabilitation was performed under supervision. The children were assessed at baseline and 1 and 3 mos after the intervention.

Results: There was a significant increase in Assisting Hand Assessment, ABILHAND-Kids, Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test, and KINDL values in the virtual reality group. In addition, there were significant increases in the active joint range of motion of the finger flexion, wrist flexion, pronation, and supination in the virtual reality group.

Conclusions: In this study, it was determined that upper limb function, quality of life, and active joint range of motion of the children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy were increased with virtual reality-mediated upper limb rehabilitation.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04529343.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial disclosure statements have been obtained, and no conflicts of interest have been reported by the authors or by any individuals in control of the content of this article.

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