Virtual reality in neurorehabilitation

The flexibility of many VR applications can make training ecologically meaningful in an enriched environment and give children opportunities to cognitively engage in solving motor tasks.

“The flexibility of many VR applications offers the opportunities to ensure that training is ecologically meaningful in an enriched environment, which provide the opportunity for children to cognitively engage in problem solving their motor task.12,13”

VR games usually have attainable goals that can be progressed and that enhance children's attention in therapy.

“VR games usually have goals to attain that can be progressed and enhance children's attention in therapy.[11][12][13]”

Motor learning is promoted with better retention when practice conditions resemble the contexts in which the task will be performed.

“Moreover, if motor learning occurred when the practice conditions are as similar as the contexts where the task would be performed, the learning will be promoted with better retention effect.[12][13][14]”

Animated VR environments can provide a simulated setting for children to practice skills that may not be feasible in the real world.

“Also, the animated environment provided by VR can vividly provide a simulated environment for children to practice some skills that may not be feasible to do in the real world.13”

The more similar a VR environment is to the real world, the better the transfer of motor skill.

“The more similar the VR is toward the real-world environment, the better transfer in motor skill.13,14”

Augmented feedback from VR, such as seeing one's own movements during play, can enhance motor learning, especially in children with CP whose intrinsic sensory feedback may be impaired.

“The augmented feedback provided by the VR system such as seeing own movements during play can enhance motor learning, especially in children with CP whose intrinsic feedback from their sensory system might be impaired.12,13”