Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Growth and Development Disorders in Pediatrics

Background: Down syndrome is one of the most common genetic causes of developmental delays. Virtual reality therapy is an innovative tool of rehabilitation based on computer technology that has been applied in the rehabilitation of many developmental areas. Aim of the Study : To systematically review the available studies on the effect of virtual reality on motor rehabilitation of children with Down syndrome. Methods: An electronic search was made in Cochrane (CENTRAL), PEDro, PubMed (MEDLINE), Google scholar and TRIP databases from July 2017 to March 2019.The inclusion criteria were: published studies of any design which investigate the effect of virtual reality on motor rehabilitation of children with Down syndrome. The outcome measures were: balance, sensorimotor functions, coordination, strength and agility.Two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality and extracted data from the included studies. Results: Only four studies met the inclusion criteria; two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one quasi-experimental study and one case report. One study fulfills the criteria of high methodological quality; two studies were of moderate quality; and one was of weak quality. Descriptive analysis was performed as the data extracted from the included studies were not homogenous

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