Can Virtual Reality games improve scores on clinical balance scales in children with cerebral palsy: preliminary results of a randomized controlled clinical trial

Due to their sensorimotor disorders, children with cerebral palsy (CP) typically experience poor balance control during standing and walking [1]. Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly used in balance rehabilitation since literature has indicated some promising effects on for instance motivation [2] and functional outcomes [3] in several patient populations. Some preliminary studies have investigated the effect of VR training on balance in children with CP, however, they describe mixed results [4,5]. The contradictory findings could be the result of insufficient power due to small sample size and use of different measures of balance.