RESEARCH ARTICLE

Low-Cost Virtual Reality Intervention Program for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

A Pilot Feasibility Study

Ashkenazi, Tal MSc, PT; Weiss, Patrice L. PhD, OT; Orian, Danielle MD; Laufer, Yocheved DSc, PT

Author Information

Clalit Health Services (Ms Ashkenazi and Dr Orian), Child Development Center, Carmiel, Israel; Department of Occupational Therapy (Dr Weiss), Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Laufer and Ms Ashkenazi), Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.

Tal Ashkenazi, MSc, PT, Clalit Health Services, Child Development Center, Department of Physical Therapy, Havazelet 2, Carmiel 20100, Israel ([email protected]).

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Pediatric Physical Therapy 25(4):p 467-473, Winter 2013. | DOI: 10.1097/PEP.0b013e3182a74398

Purpose: 

To explore the feasibility of using a low-cost, off-the-shelf virtual reality (VR) game to treat young children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and to determine the effect of this intervention on motor function.

Methods: 

Nine children, aged 4 to 6 years, referred to physical therapy because of suspected DCD participated in 10 game-based intervention sessions.

Outcome Measures: 

Outcome measures included Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (M-ABC-2), the DCD Questionnaire (DCD-Q), the 6-minute walk test, and 10-m walk test.

Results: 

Statistically significant changes were observed in the total standard score (P = .024) and the balance subscore (P = .012) of the M-ABC-2 and in the DCD-Q (P < .05). The children seemed to be motivated and to enjoy the interaction with the VR environment.

Conclusion: 

VR games seemed to be beneficial in improving the children's motor function.

© 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association.

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