Efficacy of virtual reality-based therapy on balance in children with Down syndrome

Virtual reality-based therapy is one of the most innovative and promising recent developments in rehabilitation technology. Virtual reality is the use of interactive simulations created with computer hardware and software to present users with opportunities to engage in environments that appear to be and feel similar to real world objects and events. Wii-Fit is considered as one of the virtual reality-based therapy. Children with Down syndrome have lower scores on balance and agility tasks than do children with other mental impairments. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Wii-Fit on balance in children with Down syndrome. Balance was measured by Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency for 30 children with Down syndrome. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of equal size (control and study). They ranged in age from 10 to 13 years old and they were selected from both genders. The control group received the traditional physical therapy program. A program of three Wii-Fit games was conducted for the study group in addition to the traditional physical therapy program. The program for both groups continued for six weeks. The results revealed high significant improvement of balance in the study group (p= 0.000) when compared with that of the control group indicating that Wii-Fit games as a virtual reality-based therapy could improve balance for children with Down syndrome