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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)2021; 21(19); doi: 10.3390/s21196394

Virtual Reality-Incorporated Horse Riding Simulator to Improve Motor Function and Balance in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study.

Abstract: The horse riding simulator (HRS) reportedly has a beneficial effect on motor function and balance in children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, by itself, the HRS is not a sufficient source of challenge and motivation for children. To address this issue, we combined the HRS with virtual reality (VR) to promote somatosensory stimulation and motivation. Sixteen children (ages: 5-17 years) with CP and presenting Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-IV were enrolled in the study. Using a head-mounted display and controllers, interventions were carried out over 30-min periods (two rides lasting 12 min each, along with a six-min rest period) twice a week over a period of eight weeks (16 sessions in aggregate). The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Gross Motor Function measure (GMFM)-88, and GMFM-66 scores of each participant were measured before and after the interventions. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the PBS, GMFM-66, the total GMFM-88 scores, and those corresponding to dimensions D and E of GMFM-88 after the intervention (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that VR-incorporated HRS is effective in improving motor function and balance in children with CP and that its incorporation in conventional PT programs could yield beneficial results.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-24 PubMed ID: 34640713PubMed Central: PMC8512120DOI: 10.3390/s21196394Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explores how a virtual reality (VR) incorporated horse riding simulator (HRS) can enhance motor function and balance in children suffering from cerebral palsy (CP). The study found significant improvements post-intervention, suggesting it could be an effective measure in physical therapy programs.

Research Methodology

  • 16 children (ages from 5 to 17 years old) who have CP and fell into Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-IV, were included in the research study.
  • Each child put on a head-mounted VR display and held controllers to engage with the VR horse riding simulator.
  • The intervention was carried out over a period of eight weeks, with two sessions every week, each lasting 30 minutes. Each session consisted of two VR horse rides, each of 12 minutes duration, interspersed with a six-minute rest break.
  • Three measurements were taken before and after the interventions for each participant: Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-88, and GMFM-66.

Results

  • Following the interventions, there were statistically significant improvements observed in the PBS, GMFM-66, the total GMFM-88 scores.
  • Significant changes were also noticed in dimensions D and E of the GMFM-88 score, which measure motor function related to standing and walking, running and jumping respectively.

Conclusions

  • This study’s outcomes suggest that using a VR horse riding simulator can effectively enhance motor function and balance in children dealing with cerebral palsy.
  • The integration of VR-incorporated HRS in conventional physical therapy regimens could present beneficial returns.

Cite This Article

APA
Chang HJ, Jung YG, Park YS, O SH, Kim DH, Kim CW. (2021). Virtual Reality-Incorporated Horse Riding Simulator to Improve Motor Function and Balance in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study. Sensors (Basel), 21(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/s21196394

Publication

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 1424-8220
NlmUniqueID: 101204366
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 19

Researcher Affiliations

Chang, Hyun Jung
  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon 51353, Korea.
Jung, Yong Gi
  • Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea.
Park, Young Sook
  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon 51353, Korea.
O, Se Hwi
  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon 51353, Korea.
Kim, Da Hye
  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon 51353, Korea.
Kim, Chang Woo
  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon 51353, Korea.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Child
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Motor Skills
  • Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena
  • Pilot Projects
  • Virtual Reality

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
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