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

Recent advancements in Virtual Reality (VR) technology has opened a wide array of its practical uses in rehabilitation, physical activity, and motor skill acquisition among children. During VR simulations, participants practice specific movements and movement patterns, in a computersimulated environment that emulates the real world. However, to date, limited suggestions about the effectiveness and feasibility of VR technology in children with disorders have been informed. This mini review aimed to identify the most effective VR systems being used in pediatric rehabilitation and examine the effects of VR on physical activity and motor competence of children with disorders over time. Recent VR studies and literature reviews were examined in order to identify these effects. Results showed 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. The findings indicated that VR could potentially increase the enjoyment of physical activities that contribute to time spent being physically active daily. However, there is a limited amount of research evidence concerning its effectiveness and feasibility of VR on motor competence among children. Future research should expand on the long-term effects of physical activity and motor development among children with disorders as well as the efficacy of different VR systems when pediatric rehabilitation is concerned.