Intensive training with virtual reality on mobility in adolescents with cerebral palsy—single subject design

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a short-term intensive virtual reality intervention in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Single-subject design, type A–B-follow-up, with four participants (P) with CP, 15–18 years, GMFCS level II. A two-week intervention phase was performed with twelve Nintendo® Wii games in six sessions (90 min) per week. Outcome variables were semi-static balance (Pressure Center Oscillation—PCO), gait speed (Ten Meter Walk Test at usual speed—TMWT-U; and fast speed—TMWT-F), mobility (Timed Up and Go test—TUG), endurance (sit-to-stand test 5 times—STS-5), and gross motor activity (Gross Motor Function Measure—GMFM). Results: Statistical improvements were observed in GMFM-D (P2–P3), TMWT-F (P2–P3–P4) and TMWT-U (P2), STS-5 (P3–P4), TUG (P3), and PCO (P2–P3), assessed by level, trend, latency, and visual inspection to analyze change. Conclusions: This study shows that a short-term intensive intervention using Nintendo® Wii-based games in adolescents, GMFCS level II, can be an effective therapy, leading to some recovery of functioning in these young people.