Article

Researchers recently investigated the effectiveness of virtual
reality (VR) in helping children with cerebral palsy (CP) to improve motor
function. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using a
meta-analytic method to examine the effectiveness of VR in children with CP was
thus needed.
The purpose of this study was to update the current
evidence about VR by systematically examining the research literature. Data
Sources: A systematic literature search of PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central
Register of Controlled Trials, ERIC, PsycINFO, and Web of Science up to December
2016 was conducted. Study Selection: Studies with an RCT design, children with
CP, comparisons of VR with other interventions, and movement-related outcomes
were included. Data Extraction: A template was created to systematically code the
demographic, methodological, and miscellaneous variables of each RCT. The
Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to evaluate the study
quality. Effect size was computed and combined using meta-analysis software.
Moderator analyses were also used to explain the heterogeneity of the effect
sizes in all RCTs. Data Synthesis: . The literature search yielded 19 RCT studies
with fair to good methodological quality. Overall, VR provided a large effect
size (d = 0.861) when compared with other interventions. A large effect of VR on
arm function (d = 0.835) and postural control (d = 1.003) and a medium effect on
ambulation (d = 0.755) were also found. Only the VR type affected the overall VR
effect: an engineer-built system was more effective than a commercial system.
Limitations: The RCTs included in this study were of fair to good quality, had a
high level of heterogeneity and small sample sizes, and used various intervention
protocols. Conclusions: Then compared with other interventions, VR seems to be an
effective intervention for improving motor function in children with CP.
CI - (c) 2017 American Physical Therapy Association

Langue : ANGLAIS