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IJPR.2017.146

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Type of Article:  Original Research

Volume 5; Issue 3 (June 2017)

Page No.: 2088-2094

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijpr.2017.146

EFFECT OF VIRTUAL REALITY VERSUS TRADITIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY ON FUNCTIONAL BALANCE IN CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME: A RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE STUDY

Mohamed A. Abdel Ghafar *1 , Osama R. Abdelraouf 2.

*1 Physical Therapy Program, Batterjee Medical College for Science & Technology, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

2 Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of physical therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Address for Correspondence: Mohamed A. Abdel Ghafar,  Physical Therapy Program, Batterjee Medical College for Science & Technology, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. E-Mail: Pt12.jed@bmc.edu.sa

ABSTRACT

Background: Children with Down syndrome (DS) have difficulties with equilibrium, balance, and protective responses leading to delay in postural control and locomotion. Improvement in balance can produce greater stability while performing activities of daily living or work related tasks. Virtual reality (VR) allows individuals to experience activities and events similar to those they might encounter in real life. It can be used clinically to improve strength, range of motion, coordination, attention span, balance and posture. However, the absolute effects of VR as a single treatment to improve balance are not yet investigated.
The purpose: of this study was to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality using Wii games versus traditional physical therapy in enhancing functional balance in children with DS.
Materials and methods: Twenty six children with Down syndrome from both sexes participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 6-9 years and randomly distributed into two groups. Group (A) received traditional physical therapy and Group (B) received Wii balance program. Treatment sessions were 30 minutes, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome measures were pediatric balance test, the timed up and go test, and the five-times-sit-to-stand test.
Results: All measured outcomes were significantly improved in both groups from pre to post-intervention. Children in group (B) showed significant improvements as compared with those of group (A).
Conclusion: Wii games based balance training has the potential to improve the functional balance in children with Down syndrome and it can be used as an alternative modality whenever conventional physical therapy is not feasible.
KEY WORDS: Down Syndrome, Virtual- Reality, Traditional physical therapy , Wii games, Functional Balance.

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Cite this article: Mohamed A. Abdel Ghafar, Osama R. Abdelraouf. EFFECT OF VIRTUAL REALITY VERSUS TRADITIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY ON FUNCTIONAL BALANCE IN CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME: A RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE STUDY. Int J Physiother Res 2017;5(3):2088-2094. DOI: 10.16965/ijpr.2017.146
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