Can Virtual Reality games improve scores on clinical balance scales in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Due to their sensorimotor disorders, children with cerebral palsy (CP) typically experience poor balance control during standing and walking [1]. Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly used in balance rehabilitation since literature has indicated some promising effects on for instance motivation [2] and functional outcomes [3] in several patient populations. Some preliminary studies have investigated the effect of VR training on balance in children with CP, however, they describe mixed results [4,5]. The contradictory findings could be the result of insufficient power due to small sample size and use of different measures of balance.