The Role of Virtual Reality in Enhancing Motor Skills in Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This research aims to analyze how virtual reality (VR) can enhance movement skills in children. We employed a systematic review model, searching for relevant articles in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. The search keywords included "virtual reality," "child," "social," and "motor skills." This study's inclusion criteria were articles focused on "virtual reality," "children with motor disorders," and "motor skills," published within the last five years (as of 2019). Articles from less well-known journals were excluded. We identified eight articles that met the inclusion criteria and were suitable for systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards. The findings indicate that VR plays a significant role in improving motor coordination abilities in children. Responses to VR interventions were overwhelmingly positive, showing reductions in physical, cognitive, and emotional stress. Therefore, VR proves to be a valuable tool for physiotherapists and physicians treating children with motor delays. However, some considerations need to be addressed. A few parents have raised concerns about the high costs and the substantial space requirements associated with VR setups. Keywords: virtual reality, motion disorders, motor, technology, children