Virtual Reality Technology For Cognitive Functions Of Children With Down Syndrome

The purpose of the study is to identify the effect of fully-immersive virtual reality technology on cognitive functions of children with Down syndrome

Intellectual disability is recognized as one of the most prominent features of DS which is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. Cognitive functioning often changes across the lifespan and is moderated by several comorbid factors such as sensory impairments, seizures, autism, sleep disruption, and other medical and psychiatric conditions (Grieco et al., 2015). There is encouraging evidence supporting the use of non-immersive virtual environments to provide useful learning, rehabilitation, and leisure experiences for people with intellectual disabilities. Therefore, immersive VR applications may also be an effective way to improve motivation and engagement for children with DS in learning settings (Michalski et al., 2022). Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of full-immersive VRapeutic software gaming technology on cognitive functions of children with Down syndrome

A prospective Randomized controlled trial of pre-post study design with a two months follow up evaluation will be used

Children in this group will practice the same activities as control group in addition to virtual reality session using fully-immersive VRapeutic software gaming technology (Viblio module)for 20 min/3sessions/week for 8 weeks.

Children in this group will practice their regular activities of school and daily living (receive no treatment).

Children of the study group will receive VR training sessions 3 times per week for 8 successive weeks. Viblio VRapeutic fully immersive game will be used. Manual instructions of the game will be followed and features of the game will be customized. The child instructed to put back a pile of books on the floor into their shelves. Level II of the game we will use audio visual distractors , repeated parrot sound and the child is required to order the books by colors Level III distracting tasks during book ordering The complexity of the game depend on task duration, number of books and the nature of distractors

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed with Down Syndrome Age from 6-10 years Both Genders will be included IQ Ranges from 50-69(mild intellectual disability) they will be able to understand the instructions able to walk independently Exclusion Criteria: Significant Visual or Hearing problems Significant mental or psychological problems that interfere with understanding instructions musculoskeletal problems or fixed deformities in upper or lower limbs Current hospitalization for urgent Medical reasons