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Cortical reorganization induced by virtual reality therapy in a child with hemiparetic cerebral palsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2005

Sung H You
Affiliation:
Physical Therapy Program, Hampton University, VA, USA.
Sung Ho Jang
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea.
Yun-Hee Kim
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Republic of Korea.
Yong-Hyun Kwon
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea.
Irene Barrow
Affiliation:
Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Hampton University, VA, USA.
Mark Hallett
Affiliation:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Human Motor Control Section, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) therapy is a new, neurorehabilitation intervention aimed at enhancing motor performance in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP). This case report investigated the effects of VR therapy on cortical reorganization and associated motor function in an 8-year-old male with hemiparetic CP. Cortical activation and associated motor development were measured before and after VR therapy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and standardized motor tests. Before VR therapy, the bilateral primary sensorimotor cortices (SMCs) and ipsilateral supplementary motor area (SMA) were predominantly activated during affected elbow movement. After VR therapy, the altered activations disappeared and the contralateral SMC was activated. This neuroplastic change was associated with enhanced functional motor skills including reaching, self-feeding, and dressing. These functions were not possible before the intervention. To our knowledge, this is the first fMRI study in the literature that provides evidence for neuroplasticity after VR therapy in a child with hemiparetic CP.

Type
Case Report
Copyright
© 2005 Mac Keith Press

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