Effect of Dual-task Virtual Reality Training on Hand Function, Attention and Activity of Daily Life in Children With Hemiplegia

Children with hemiplegia represent about 25% of all CP children. One of the most debilitating symptoms of hemiplegia, which may occur in more than 80 of children suffering from CP, is dysfunction of the upper limbs, especially the arms and hands.

Hand function is significantly compromised in children with hemiplegic CP. As a result, children with hemiplegic CP typically find it difficult to use the affected upper extremity.These children learn how to do tasks using their non-involved upper extremity (developmental disuse).Hemiplegic children have difficulty in using both hands together.This deficit limits their participation and require assistance in activities of daily living such as dressing, eating, and playing.The ability of hemiplegic children to reach, hold, and manipulate objects with their hands is one of their biggest challenges.Children with hemiplegia often show slower reaction times, reduced concentration, and difficulty maintaining focus during motor tasks. These attentional challenges limit the ability to coordinate movements, particularly during bimanual or dual-task activities.

Virtual Reality (VR) is an effective and engaging tool in the rehabilitation of children with CP. It offers interactive, multisensory environments that enhance motor learning and neuroplasticity through repetitive, task-specific practice. VR improves upper limb function, coordination, attention, and motivation while promoting bimanual training and daily functional skills more effectively than traditional therapy.Although VR based training has gained increasing interest in recent years, little studies have been conducted to evaluate it's dual task application .So the purpose of the current study is to evaluate the effect of dual task VR training on hand function , attention and activity of daily life in children with hemiplegic CP.