Facilitating the Implementation of Virtual Reality-Based Therapies in Pediatric Rehabilitation

Abstract

Aims: Evaluate the impact of a multifaceted knowledge translation (KT) strategy for the implementation of virtual reality (VR) intervention by rehabilitation clinicians in a pediatric hospital setting.

Methods: Eleven therapists were recruited and completed a questionnaire on perceptions on VR usage. A multifaceted KT strategy was implemented over five months. VR usage was tracked and clinician perceptions were reassessed. Baseline characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics and a Wilcoxon signed rank sum test evaluated changes pre- and post-KT.

Results: Perceived ease of use, behavioral control, self-efficacy, and barriers to use improved significantly post-KT; however, intention to use did not. Usage was higher pre-KT than the last two months of KT. Pre-KT, barriers included system setup and use, knowledge of games, and lack of resources, whereas post-KT, they were the lack of appropriate patients and patient-specific experience. KT supports and patient engagement were reasons for continued use.

Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of supporting clinicians when implementing VR in clinical rehabilitation. Clinicians benefit from experiential and individualized learning opportunities, peer-led coaching, and hands-on training. Whether these strategies translate to increased usage and how usage is influenced by environmental factors (i.e. lack of appropriate clients) warrants additional research.

Keywords:

• Active video gaming
• knowledge translation
• occupational therapy
• physical therapy
• rehabilitation
• virtual reality

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the hard work and contributions of Carol Theoret-Douglas, Chantalle Clarkin, and the staff at the Clinical Research Unit of the CHEO Research Institute, as well as our Research Assistants Gary Bourque and Julie Boucher. A special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. William MacLean and Ruth Hamilton, whose kind donation made this work possible. Stephanie Glegg was supported by a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, a Public Scholars Award from The Universiry of British Columbia, and a Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program Career Enhancement Award.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Priyanka Banerjee-Guénette

Priyanka Banerjee-Guenette is a Physiotherapist who currently works at CHEO in both acute inpatient and outpatient care. She is a clinical researcher with the CHEO Research Institute.

Sarah Bigford

Sarah Bigford is a Physiotherapist currently working as a Manager in Development and Rehabilitation at CHEO. She holds a Master's Degree in Epidemiology and is a clinical researcher with the CHEO Research Institute.

Stephanie M. N. Glegg

Stephanie Glegg is an Occupational Therapist currently working as a Knowledge Broker Facilitator at the CDR Evidence Centre of the Sunnyhill Health Centre for Children and as a Clinical Investigator with the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute. She holds a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and has recently completed her Doctoral Studies at the University of British Columbia.