Development of virtual reality in the upper extremities function in children with Cerebral Palsy. A pilot randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the Virtual Reality (VR) in upper extremities function in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). STUDY DESIGN: Pilot randomization study. METHODS: A total of 42 children with CP, aged 10 to15 years, were enrolled and randomly allocated into either an intervention group (n = 21) or a control group (n = 21) using a computer-generated block randomization sequence (block size of 4). There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. The intervention group received a VR training program, whereas the control group underwent conventional occupational therapy. Both interventions were administered in 45-minute sessions, three days per week, over five weeks. Pre- and post-intervention outcome measures included major upper extremity range of motion (ROM), the Box and Block Test (BBT), and the ABILHAND-Kids assessment. RESULTS: Post-intervention, both the VR and control groups demonstrated improvements across all measured outcomes, including upper-extremity ROM, BBT, and ABILHAND-Kids scores. Although no statistically significant between-group differences were observed in the overall cohort, a subgroup analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in ABILHAND-Kids scores in favor of the VR intervention among children aged 10 to 12 years. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings indicate that the VR intervention does not result in statistically significant improvements in upper-extremity ROM and motor function compared with conventional therapy.