Virtual Reality Training With Sensory Integration On The Gross Motor Functions Of Lower Limb

Cerebral Palsy(CP) is a common non-progressive disorder that occurs due to any injury or aberration to the developing central nervous system. It refers to the disorders that stem from primary brain lesion leading to musculoskeletal and nervous abnormalities in the pediatric population. Cerebral palsy has a global incidence of 1-3.5 cases per 1000 live births. The most prevalent type is spastic diplegia which occurs in 30-40% of spastic cerebral palsy. According to motor impairment, it is classified into spastic, dyskinetic and ataxic cerebral palsy. The children with cerebral palsy have very poor control of voluntary muscle activity. Therefore training of selective motor control in children with cerebral palsy is an important part of physiotherapy intervention. Children are often not amenable to the conventional exercise program but studies have demonstrated that children show high interest and stimulation to virtual reality training. Virtual reality is a virtual environment system that enables a person to witness situations and actions similar to real-life. Therapists use Virtual reality systems to create a fascinating environment to gain targeted therapeutic goals. Sensory integration, on the other hand, is a therapeutic approach that involves active therapy and activities involving graded sensory experiences. It provides keen proprioceptive and tactile experiences. Sensory integration therapy usually involves balls, rolls, hammock, trampolines and altering surfaces. Children with spastic diplegia have gross and fine motor, sensory, cognitive impairments. This results in reduced ability to adjust the body and balance it with movements. Postural control demands active sensorimotor control. Exercise with mini-trampoline is designed for balance training to improve static and dynamic balance and postural adjustment in children with spastic diplegia. According to a study in 2016, Virtual reality training can effectively improve the gross motor function of the lower limbs in children with spastic diplegia in comparison to conventional therapy. As claimed by a study in, 2006 VR training in combination with conventional exercise therapy in spastic CP improves exercise compliance and enhance exercise effectiveness. It is a simple and executable approach which can be used by any skilled therapist as an independent treatment method to improve the outcome.

According to a study, sensory integration therapy had a measurable effect in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy who suffer from a sensory-motor deficit. A study observed the effects of sensory integration therapy in children with cerebral palsy and concluded that sensory integration therapy has a positive effect on gross motor function in spastic diplegic CP in sitting and standing positions. Whereas, the control group with only home exercise program showed no significant improvement.In 2018 compared the effects of rebound exercises and simple balance training on balance of spastic diplegic children. The assessments suggested that balance was improved in both groups but the group under study showed a significant difference and concluded that rebound exercises improve the balance and postural control. The past research records are evident that therapists have worked with either Virtual reality training or Sensory integration therapy for the rehabilitation of Spastic Diplegic children. The two protocols have not been complimented for rehabilitation. So the aim of this study is to observe and determine the combined effect of these two treatment protocols to get the results and improve the gross motor function in lower limbs of CP children.

Inclusion criteria

• Diplegic CP children aged 5-12 years
• Gross motor function classification system System (GMFCS) I - II
• Children can be independent Walking distance >5 meters
• Spasticity of lower limb < 3 ..
• A child able to understand command and can play VR games.

Exclusion criteria

• Any Bone and joint diseases
• Epilepsy
• Mental illness
• Mental retardation etc. cannot be matched with the completion of the experiment.
• Any history of taking anticonvulsant drugs or muscle relaxants.