Virtual reality combined with robot-assisted gait training to improve walking ability of children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have disorders of posture and movement and which can limit physical activities such as walking

OBJECTIVE:

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) combined with robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on walking ability in children with CP and clarify the most effective degree of weight reduction.

METHODS:

Sixty CP children were recruited and randomly allocated into four different groups. The control group received conventional physical therapy ( $n=$ 15), and task groups performed VR combined with RAGT with 15% (Group A, $n=$ 15) /30% (Group B, $n=$ 15) /45% (Group C, $n=$ 15) weight loss. All participants were given 50 min of therapy per session four times a week for 12 weeks and were assessed pre-and post-test with the surface electromyography (EMG), the Modified Ashworth Scale, the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) dimension E and D, and Six-Minute Walking Test (6-MWT).

RESULTS:

All indicators had improved significantly in each group after the intervention ( $P<$ 0.05). The result of our study demonstrated that the more effective impacts of VR combined with RAGT on walking ability compared to the control group ( $P<$ 0.05), and 30% of weight loss had the best improvement in CP children ( $P<$ 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

VR combined RAGT can effectively improve walking ability in children with CP, especially when the weight loss is 30%.