Use of Virtual Reality During Occupational Therapy Asessions

Virtual reality - a new promising type of rehabilitation, which is based on scientific research and are widely used in foreign countries rehabilitation centers. During Occupational Therapy sessions not only normal activities can be used, but also activities carried out in cyberspace. In 2012 January - July a survey in Vilnius University Children‘s Hospital was carried - out, the purpose of which was to assess the child‘s motivation and engagement in different occupational therapy procedures. Children will Questionnaire (TVC) (Pediatric Volitional Questionnaire (PVQ) was used for evaluation purposes, which is an observation tool developed to determine the will and motivation of children playing. Patients regardless of sex, age and illness, more actively involved themseves in the activities in virtual reality than standard occupational therapy procedures. The results showed that there was a statistically significant (p<0.05) difference between the will and the motivation of children using standard occupational therapy (mean score 2.9 (SD ± 0.4), and virtual reality sessions (mean score 3.3 (SD ± 0.3). During occupational therapy sessions a diversity of activities can be applied to promote the development, recovery and improvement of a variety of functions each of which are selected according to the patient‘s individual needs and abilities. Scientific and technological achievements allows to perform various activities not only in everyday, familiar surroundings, but also in the virtual space. Virtual reality offers rehabilitation interactive environment where patients can play, learn and develop their skills while acting in virtual space.