Virtual Reality, Physical Therapy
Below you’ll find a cool article about a very small study on the use of customized virtual reality “games” to improve hand function in teenagers with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. I think it’s awesome on two fronts–a.) it’s an innovative application of a technology that teenagers would be self- motivated to use; and b.) it studies teenagers as opposed to young children.
Virtual Reality Tele-rehab Improves Hand Function: Playing Games For Real Recovery
The article also mentions that the use of remotely controlled virtual reality games offers a new way for patients to receive low-cost, effective treatment at home. The idea being that as the patient’s hand/arm motor function improves, a physical therapist could monitor their progress and increase the duration/level of difficulty. The remote monitoring system, while of course not a replacement for manual physical therapy, would decrease the stress, hassle and cost of traveling to a clinic regularly for rehab .