Your child is going through physical therapy and you see there are routine exercises – definitely something your child is not excited about. But, what if the opposite occurs? What if your child enjoys therapy sessions and gets maximum advantages out of it? Here, we are talking about VR or virtual reality which is changing how traditional physical therapy used to be.
Many children are suffering from Upper Limb Motor Impairment (ULMI) and they need repetitive therapeutic physiotherapy sessions to make improvements. Tailored physical therapy helps these kids regain movement or and also minimizes functional disabilities of the affected area. Now, these therapeutic sessions include different types of upper body movements and exercises. But the problem is that small children feel reluctant about these therapy sessions because of acute procedural pain.
Virtual reality when implemented in pediatric physical therapy shifts the focus of these kids from pain to the computer-simulated reality that comes with visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory interactions. So, the therapists can easily distract kids undergoing the therapy from perceiving nociceptive signals and pain. Moreover, kids really love these VR versions of the therapy – feeling more excited about taking the next sessions.
How Does VR Make Therapy More Engaging for Kids?
Kids are given a VR headset and they enter a world tailored to make targeted movement fun. Suppose there is a simple exercise, like raising an arm or taking a step. Now, in VR the children are pushed to move accordingly like raising their arms or taking a step to reach for stars, or hopping across stepping stones in a magical forest. This is the magic of VR.
But Is VR Safe for Pediatric Therapy?
Of course, this is a great question! Well, pediatric therapists and VR developers work closely to make sure that VR programs are safe and suitable for kids undergoing treatments.
Each activity in the virtual world is designed so that it can match a child’s therapy needs. And, they also make sure to avoid any activities that could cause strain or injury.
Check out these facts come out from numerous studies
Many studies stated that VR is indeed an efficient and beneficial form of pain relief for many children undergoing therapies.
VR games are more promising when compared to conventional training alone to improve the functional abilities of limbs for children with conditions like cerebral palsy.
VR training leaves an initial level of high intrinsic motivational power that actually boosts the level of engagement of physical activities among children.
Of course, there would be some children who might be sensitive to VR. So, the best therapists conduct pediatric physical therapy in Dubai integrated with VR for shorter durations and monitor comfort levels.
Can VR Help Kids With Specific Physical Challenges?
Absolutely! Children with conditions like cerebral palsy, Upper Limb Motor Impairment, muscular dystrophy, or balance issues can benefit immensely from VR technology-integrated physiotherapy.
For example, VR can create scenarios where children need to improve their balance, so it lets kids imagine that they are standing on a virtual surfboard or reaching for floating objects in space. These certain exercises target specific muscle groups while keeping them engaged.
Note:
VR is more of a tool that basically enhances traditional therapy. It’s not replacing the traditional physical therapy. VR adds an element of fun and interactivity, and makes the therapy more engaging. Therapists use VR as part of the treatment plan, balancing it with other therapy methods for maximum advantages.
Final Thoughts
For many children and parents, VR has made a huge difference.
However, certified therapists at Hope AMC carefully check the difficulty levels, age, medical conditions, medical history and other factors first and then design a one-of-a-kind pediatric therapy for children in Dubai.
Our board-certified pediatric physical therapists integrate VR technology carefully to make sure the child feels engaged and get maximum benefits out of the therapy sessions.
Visit our official website and discover more about our tailored physical therapy programs! Our clinic is open every day. Book an appointment now!
