Virtual Reality to Promote Functional Mobility in Ambulatory Youth with CP: Clinical Feasibility

Hosted by the Pediatric SIG
Virtual
Eligible for continuing competency points

This session is intended for PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs, and students. In this session Maggie will discuss current trends in the use of virtual reality (VR) including active video games (AVGs) to promote functional mobility in youth with CP and other neurodevelopmental disabilities in pediatric physical therapy. She will review survey data from physical and occupational therapists on facilitators and barriers to integrating VR and AVG in clinical practice. The session will include video clips of youth with CP from a VR study so participants can provide feedback on motor performance and VR use. Also, the session will include a discussion with participants about experiences using VR and AVG and the feasibility of using these technologies in the clinic and/or in home exercise programs (HEPs).

Presented by Margaret (Maggie) O’Neil, PT, PhD, MPH

Dr. O’Neil is an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology at University of Massachusetts, Lowell (UML). She
teaches in the DPT program including the pediatric lecture and lab courses, the evidence-based practice course and topics in health promotion/health policy and physical activity. Maggie mentors DPT and exercise science undergraduate students at UML in clinical and honors projects when they express an interest in pediatric rehabilitation research topics. She conducts research to identify objective measures of
physical activity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and innovative virtual reality activity-based interventions to promote functional mobility and physical activity. She practices part time in an outpatient pediatric PT clinic. Dr. O’Neil has received funding from federal grants and professional organizations. She has multiple publications and several book chapters. She is co-director of the APTA Clinical Practice Guideline for Ambulatory Youth with CP.