Virtual reality versus whole body vibration on quadriceps muscle strength in children with thigh burn

Abstract

Background: Burn is an injury caused by biological, chemical, electrical and physical agents with local and systemic repercussions. It is one of the most significant health problems throughout the world, leading to prolonged hospitalization and hence increased expense for the patients, their families and society. Today, the prognosis of patients with burn is dependent, apart from adequate treatment, upon the health-care system and health-care professionals, regarding not only survival, but also lifelong quality. Objective: this study was conducted to compare between the effect of virtual reality and whole body vibration as two methods of proprioceptive stimulation on quadriceps muscle strength in children with thigh burn. Subjects and procedures: forty children with unilateral thermal burn of the thigh ranged in age from six to twelve years participated in this study. They were divided randomly into two study groups I and II respectively. Study group I was treated by whole body vibration program in addition to conventional physical therapy program while the study group II was treated by a Wii-fit therapy program (as a form of virtual reality treatment program) in addition to the same conventional physical therapy program given to study group I.