Virtual Reality for Sensorimotor Rehabilitation of Neurological Health Conditions Across the Lifespan

According to the National Institutes of Health, rehabilitation technology refers to aids that help people recover their function after injury or illness. In recent years, advances in rehabilitation technology have led to significant improvements of the autonomy and quality of life of people with neurological health conditions. Virtual reality (VR) in particular, is a rehabilitation technology that has risen to prominence and is achieving excellent results in improving the sensorimotor function of people with neurological disabilities. Virtual reality uses interactive simulations created with computer hardware and software, that allow users to perform activities in virtual environments with life-like objects and events. The development of technologies for the assessment and treatment of people with neurological health conditions resulting in impaired sensorimotor function (e.g. difficulties in visual attention, movement time, reaction to touch, self-regulation of basic body functions, tolerance for various body positions, and body awareness) also continues to evolve. These technologies are applied across the continuum of the International Classification of Function proposed by the WHO. Thus, further studies are needed to justify the use of Virtual Reality in research and clinical practice as a tool for stimulation of sensorimotor for children and adults with neurological health conditions

Considering the evolution of virtual reality technology in recent years, this Research Topic aims to create an insightful and multi-disciplinary forum for discussions on the development, testing, and application of virtual reality innovations for patients with neurological health conditions across the lifespan (such as Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and others). The contributions to this Topic are expected to inform and exemplify how virtual reality may enable individuals with a variety of sensorimotor deficits (including impaired perception, motor control and motor performance) improve and increase their activity and participation in daily life situations such as walking, reaching, shopping and dressing.

Authors are welcome to submit high-quality studies across the continuum of development and application of virtual reality technology, which support the use of virtual reality for rehabilitation of people with neurological health conditions that lead to sensorimotor impairment. We therefore welcome submissions of Original Research and Reviews on the following topics:

● Design and evaluation of virtual environments and serious games for sensorimotor rehabilitation;
● Virtual reality technologies for rehabilitation using different devices;
● Augmented and virtual reality-based technologies for people with neurological health conditions resulting in sensorimotor impairment;
● Immersive, semi-immersive and non-immersive virtual reality and augmentative reality technology for neurological rehabilitation;
● Virtual reality for assessment in sensorimotor rehabilitation;
•Possible uses of virtual reality at home, schools, hospitals and clinics to provide improvement for neurological disabilities;
● Trust, security, privacy and ethical issues associated with the use of virtual reality.