title: Cortical reorganization induced by virtual reality therapy in a child with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.
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.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Program, Hampton University, Phoenix Hall 219B, Hampton, VA 23668, USA. sung.you@hamptonu.edu
authors.forename: Sung H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Sung Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Yun-Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yong-Hyun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barrow
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallett
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D004678:Encephalomalacia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005246:Feedback / Q000502:physiology; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D014584:User-Computer Interface
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen