The effect of virtual reality games on the balance and function of children with Down syndrome: A randomized controlled trial study

This research aimed to investigate the effect of virtual reality games on the balance and lower extremity function of children with Down syndrome. The present study's participants were 30 girls aged 8-12 years old with Down syndrome and an IQ between 50 and 70. They were invited to this research in a purposeful and accessible way and were randomly divided into two groups 15. The intervention program consisted of an average of 30 minutes of movement games (two 15-minute boxing and skiing games) with an Xbox device for eight weeks (three days a week with the supervision of the researcher). Assessment of balance was done using the Berg balance test, and assessment of lower extremity performance was done using long jump, vertical jump, single-leg jump, and 20-meter shuttle run. Based on the results obtained from covariance analysis, a significant difference was observed between the two experimental and control groups in balance (P=0.0001; F=39.9), long jump (P=0.0001; F=32.07), vertical jump (F=0.001) (P = 62.52 F), single-leg jump (P = 0.0001; F = 76.4), and shuttle run (P = 0.0001; F = 38.5). The research results showed that playing virtual reality games can improve the balance and lower extremity function of children with Down syndrome. It is recommended that virtual reality games be used more to improve these capabilities in children with Down syndrome.