Virtual Reality and Its Effectiveness on Motor Development and Rehabilitation in Children with Disorders

Introduction

Virtual Reality (VR) is a unique and useful tool that researchers and practitioners use when motor learning, movement deficiencies, and rehabilitation are concerned [1] . During VR, the user interacts with a multidimensional computer-generated environment that can be explored in real-time, which is a vital feature of the functional use of VR [2] . For the past decades, technology has become increasingly prevalent in the lives of children. Previous studies suggested VR video games using Nintendo Wii and Sony Eye-Toy promote physical activity in school-aged children[3] . Lu et al. [4] suggested that active video games increase movement and physical activity levels by allowing players to physically interact with images on-screen in a range of activities by using arm, leg or whole-body movements and scan aid in the prevention of childhood obesity. Earlier VR research had focused specifically on comparing movements made with, or to, virtual objects in a virtual environment and compares them to movements made with or to real objects in real environments [5].

Immersive and non-immersive VR systems such as the Nintendo Wii, Sony Eye-Toy, and XBOX Kinect, were some of the most common systems used in recent research [6]. In recent years, the popularity of VR being used in clinical and research settings has expanded exponentially as new technological advancements have been made, especially when the fields of physical activity and pediatric rehabilitation are concerned [7]. Recently, researchers and practitioners have begun using immersive VR headsets such as the HTC-Vive, Oculus Rift, and PlayStation VR more than the console-based non-immersive game systems like the Sony Eye-Toy, Xbox Kinect, and Nintendo Wii. The HTC-Vive seems to be one of the most popular systems currently used by practitioners as it brought needed innovations in terms of the controller, the front camera, and the display with its high resolution, large field of view, and high refresh rate [8].

Systems like the Oculus Rift are not as commonly used in rehabilitation and research when compared to the HTC-Vive, however they are still compatible with the older consoles like the Xbox Kinect and have a strong presence when the promotion of physical activity is concerned, especially in pediatric populations [9]. Regardless of which console or system is used, researchers have found that games and programs available on these systems are “entertaining” and distracting to the participants [10]. This is due in part to the participant focusing on the gameplay rather than his or her impairment, which in turn results in more enjoyable physical activity and improved adherence to and completion of fitness exercise and rehabilitation training [10]. However, given the fact that the VR field itself is relatively new, there is a dearth of research concerning its effects and functionality among children with motor skill deficiencies or other disabilities such as developmental coordination disorder, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, Down syndrome, and developmental dyspraxia. Thus, more research is needed to explore potential benefits that VR offers [11].

The Effects of VR on Motor Competence in Healthy Children

It is evident that regular participation in physical activity is associated with important short- and long-term physiological and psychological health benefits in children [12]. Unfortunately, the amount of physical activity children participate in is decreasing over time and can contribute to the early onset of health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes [13]. From a public health perspective, children with delay or deficit in motor development are often at elevated risk of physical inactivity and hence may be referred to as a vulnerable population [14]. Lack of physical activity at a young age may contribute to poor motor competence in life or a delay in their motor development, so physical activity interventions are urgently needed among schoolaged children [13]. Additionally, a systematic review concluded that physical activity interventions improved children’s movement skills, which commonly had large effect sizes in typically developing children and could contribute to an increase in physical activity [15]. Ericsson and Karlsson [16] supported this notion that physical activity interventions, through the use of VR, improve movement skill and could contribute to an increased physical activity among children.

Perceived motor competence plays an important role in fostering children’s physical activity [17]. In addition, children who may not have been physically active earlier on in their lives may be lacking of their fundamental motor skills [13]. The VR games in general, have been shown to be an effective preventative approach in increasing physical activity levels among inactive children [18]. Research suggested that VR may promote early development of motor competence in children akin to more natural, real-world development as opposed to strictly formalized training. Kiefer and colleagues [13] also suggest that the initiation of VR training at an earlier age in children relates to an increased likelihood of avoiding physical inactivity later in life.

Learning fundamental movement skills in a virtual environment would be an especially effective and feasible approach to improve motor competence and overall physical activity levels among children. Previous studies showed that an increase in children’s motor competence is positively correlated to improved physical activity and sport participation [19]. However, there is a limited amount of research that focuses on whether active video games have additional benefits such as increasing motor development, particularly in young children [13]. This lack of research may be due to negative side effects that may present themselves while the participant is engaged is VR such as dizziness, injury, and disorientation. Because VR studies involving children tend to have smaller sample sizes and are not commonly longitudinal, the effect of VR on physical activity and motor competence need to be examined in much greater detail.

The Effects of VR on Motor Competence in Children with Disorders

Developmental Coordination Disorder

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) refer to fine and gross motor problems of varying levels of severity [20], which affects between 5% and 10% of children worldwide. Children with DCD do not have an identifiable medical or neurological condition that explains their coordination problems; however, VR may serve as a diagnostic tool to determine the severity of DCD [21]. For example, Yeger E et al. [21] collective research identified VR as a diagnostic tool. The findings of their study suggested that VR may not be able to significantly reduce the severe motor skill limitations of children with DCD, however, it is useful as a diagnostic tool that measures actual motor skills.

As a good case in point, VR-based physical activity video games have recently been found to be useful training tools for children with DCD as they are functional and allow the implementation of various and specific movement types [22]. Bonney and colleagues [22] implemented these various practice methods and suggested that playing VR-based physical activity games provides positive transfer effects on balance tasks, running and agility tasks, and functional activities such as long jump and stair climbing. They suggested that the transfer of motor skills from VR to the real-world were not better for participants in a variable practice schedule compared to participants in the repetitive protocols. However, other studies examining the transfer of motor skills from VR to the real world suggest that its use improves the accuracy of both motor performance and learning [22].

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurological disorder appearing in infancy or early childhood that permanently effects the sensory motor capabilities of those afflicted with it [23]. While there are already a lot of rehabilitation methods that contribute to increasing the motor competence of children with CP, the most effective methods should involve task engagement and participant enjoyment, which can be achieved through VR [24]. Other researchers have suggested that in general VR interventions showed a strong effect in improving motor function in children with CP [25]. However, it is still uncertain if a VR-based cognitive behavioral therapy would be more effective than conventional methods [26]. Thus, research involving CP and VR should focus primarily on improving the movements and motor skills involving the upper extremities in young children as well as comparing the efficacy of VR as a form of cognitive behavioral therapy to more conventional methods.

Hemiplegia

Hemiplegia is a neurological symptom appearing on the unilateral arm and leg of the body that causes affected upper/lower limb muscle weakening and difficulties in body coordination [27]. Among those with cerebral palsy, hemiplegia may present itself as a severe symptom affecting individuals’ movement. VR has been a recently introduced method used to improve body coordination, strengthen limbs, and improve overall motor skill competence in children with hemiplegia [28]. Recent research showed that implementation of VR tasks involving bilateral hand and upper limb exercises can positively and significantly affect the overall performance of upper limb motor skill tasks and children’ bilateral hand coordination [29].

Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder characterized by having one additional chromosome. Researchers reported that individuals with DS have less functional performance and have abnormal alterations in cognitive, motor areas, and social function [30]. Because of these abnormalities, research has focused on identifying the severity of each of these dysfunctions using a litany of techniques and measures. VR has become increasingly popular due to its ability to change the environment participants perceives themselves to be in and because of its functionality in rehabilitation with other mental and physical disorders [7]. VR is especially useful when motor learning and training is concerned due to the fact it is easily applicable and allows the participant to engage in a variable number of practice methods. For example, Monteiro M et al. [31] took these practice methods into account when they studied how those affected by DS learn and perform a variation of tasks when these different methods are used.

The findings suggested that participants in a blocked practice schedule performed significantly worse during a retention-based coincidence timing task when compared to those who were tested on a random or variable practice schedule. Another study included two different groups of children with DS, one group used VR for their rehabilitation, and the other group used a traditional occupational therapy respectively. Results of this study indicated that VR improved motor proficiency, visual-integrative abilities, and sensory integrative functions for children with DS just as much as those who participated in the traditional approach [32].

Developmental Dyspraxia

Developmental Dyspraxia (DD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by an impairment in the ability to plan and carry out sensorimotor tasks, much like cerebral palsy, and effects 6% of children [33]. Children with DD are greatly affected by their inability to participate in physical activity and have lower levels of perceived motor competence in which could be improved or benefitted by the use of VR [34]. Rehabilitation methods are recommended to take place in an attractive setting, one that can be provided through VR, as well as being intense in order to promote the reorganization of neural networks, thus improving motor development and learning [35]. Practitioners’ ability to customize the virtual environment make VR an effective and important rehabilitation tool, because of its ability to be specifically tailored to the participant and because it may motivate the child to be more engaged as it can make an intense or strenuous task enjoyable [36].

Practical Implications and Future Direction

The use of VR in motor learning and rehabilitation is increasing as new and better technology is released, whether they are objective measures created by practitioners in their labs, or through new games or consoles released by companies like Nintendo etc. VR is seemingly growing in popularity as a rehabilitation method for those who suffer from physical or mental disorders. The translation of these skills, practiced in a virtual environment, is more noticeable than tasks involving motor learning or perceived/ actual motor competence because they are much more specific than those concerning skill acquisition, especially in normally developed, healthy children. It is evident that VR can be used as a useful diagnostic tool that objectively measures performance of certain skills or tasks especially in children.

VR is particularly useful not only as a diagnostic tool, but also as a tool for rehabilitation and education among those who suffer from diseases or disorders, such as developmental coordination disorder, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, Down syndrome, and developmental dyspraxia. Practitioners and researchers are turning to VR as a rehabilitation tool as well to increase physical activity and motor development among children who are inactive or are physically compromised.

Potential Limitations

Although VR is a promising technology in the physical activity and rehabilitation field, more research is needed when the age of children who use VR is concerned. There is lack of research regarding the appropriate age VR should be introduced and the length of time children should be exposed to it. Though the use of VR is becoming more prevalent, there is still a dearth of research examining how the skills practiced or learned in these virtual environments translate to the real world over time. More research is needed to examine the relationship between the use of VR and its effect on improving physical activity and motor development in children with disorders.

Conclusion

It is evident that VR is useful and efficacious in rehabilitation, especially to children with disorders such as developmental coordination disorder, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, Down syndrome, and developmental dyspraxia. VR could potentially increase the enjoyment of physical activities that contribute to time spent being physically active daily. Future research should examine the efficacy of VR on motor development and physical activity in children with disorders when pediatric rehabilitation is concerned.

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