Feasibility of a randomised controlled trial to evaluate home-based virtual reality therapy in children with cerebral palsy.
William J FarrDido GreenStephen BremnerIan MaleHeather GageSarah BaileySandra SpellerValerie ColvilleMandy JacksonAnjum MemonChristopher MorrisPublished in: Disability and rehabilitation (2019)
Virtual reality therapy offers potential as a therapeutic adjunct for children with Cerebral Palsy, warranting substantive confirmatory study. Gross Motor Function Measure, with modifications to improve sensitivity, appeared appropriate as a primary measure, with Timed up and Go test secondary. The intervention was inexpensive costing £20 per child. An explanatory trial to evaluate the clinical/cost-effectiveness of commercial system virtual reality therapy is feasible with minor methodological adaptation. Implications for rehabilitation Home-based interactive computer gaming was feasible, safe and cost effective as a therapy adjunct. Discontinue if additional pressures are present: imminent surgery, family resilience to technical difficulties, negative system feedback, after-school activities. Change in Gross Motor Function Measurement scores varied by severity of Cerebral Palsy.