Effectiveness of virtual reality using Wii gaming technology in children with Down syndrome

Yee-Pay Wuang; Ching-Sui Chiang; Chwen-Yng Su; Chih-Chung Wang

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2010.10.002

Effectiveness of virtual reality using Wii gaming technology in children with Down syndrome

Res Dev Disabil. 2011 Jan-Feb;32(1):312-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.10.002. Epub 2010 Nov 10.

Authors

Yee-Pay Wuang¹, Ching-Sui Chiang, Chwen-Yng Su, Chih-Chung Wang

Affiliation

¹ Department of Occupational Therapy, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan. yeepwu@cc.kmu.edu.tw

PMID: 21071171
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.10.002

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study compared the effect of standard occupational therapy (SOT) and virtual reality using Wii gaming technology (VRWii) on children with Down syndrome (DS). Children (n = 105) were randomly assigned to intervention with either SOT or VRWii, while another 50 served as controls. All children were assessed with measures of sensorimotor functions. At post-intervention, the treatment groups significantly outperformed the control group on all measures. Participants in the VRWii group had a greater pre-post change on motor proficiency, visual-integrative abilities, and sensory integrative functioning. Virtual reality using Wii gaming technology demonstrated benefit in improving sensorimotor functions among children with DS. It could be used as adjuvant therapy to other proven successful rehabilitative interventions in treating children with DS.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adult
Child, Preschool
Disability Evaluation
Down Syndrome / physiopathology
Down Syndrome / rehabilitation*
Games, Experimental*
Humans
Motor Skills*
Physical Therapy Modalities / instrumentation*
Psychomotor Performance
Treatment Outcome
User-Computer Interface*