A new virtual reality tool for unilateral cerebral palsy rehabilitation: two single-case studies.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the "clinical utility" of a new virtual rehabilitation tool in order to treat upper-limb motor deficit in cerebral palsy (CP) patient.

METHODS

Single-case experimental designs. Virtual reality intervention was performed in two left unilateral spastic CP adolescent patients. The virtual reality intervention was given for 60 minutes per session, two sessions a day, and 5 days a week over 2 weeks.

RESULTS

For each patient and for both hands, the number of blocks transported within one minute (box and block test scores) is increased. The nonoverlap of all pairs indices for the paretic hand were calculated as 0.95 for subject 1 and 0.93 for subject 2, and the nonoverlap of all pairs indices for the nonparetic hand were calculated, respectively, as 0.92 and 1.

CONCLUSION

We provide empirical evidence in support of a new simple Virtual Rehabilitation system in CP patient to improve upper-limb motor function.