Effect of Virtual Reality Games on Upper Extremity Function in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

The hemiplegic children use the affected hand less, so improvement of the affected hand function is considered by treatment programs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Xbox- kinect bimanual games on using the affected hand in hemiplegic children aged 4 to 14 those referred to rehabilitation centers of Tehran.
In this current randomized clinical trial, 34 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy randomly divided into control and intervention groups. The upper limb performance was evaluated by using QUEST test. Both groups received the occupational therapy in a similar way In addition, children in the intervention group played Xbox- kinect bimanual games half an hour twice a week for eight weeks. Then the upper limb performance was evaluated again.
The results of ANCOVA indicated a significant difference between control and treatment groups (P The results indicated that participation of hemiplegic children in virtual games, such as xbox kinect games, has significant effects on upper limb function improvement in children with hemiplegic cereberal palsy.