Effect of Adding Virtual Reality to Individualized Exercise Therapy on Gross Motor Function, Balance, and Functional Mobility in Children with Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Single-Blinded Controlled Trial

The aim was to investigate the effect of adding virtual reality (VR) training to an individualized exercise therapy program in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP). Thirty-one children with hemiparetic CP were randomly allocated into 2 groups as experimental (n = 16) and control (n = 15). Experimental group received additional VR twice a week for 12 weeks. Gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Measure-66), balance (one leg standing), and functional mobility (timed up and go test) were evaluated. All parameters were improved in the experimental group (<i>P</i> < .05). In the control group, all parameters other than timed up and go test, and eyes closed one leg standing improved (<i>P</i> < .05). When the changes in the groups were compared, greater improvements were detected in the experimental group (<i>P</i> < .05). Adding VR training to the individualized exercise therapy program may have potential additional benefits for improving gross motor function, balance, and functional mobility in children with hemiparetic CP.