Virtual Reality-based Training for the Motor Developmentof People With Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

This study investigated the potential of using a virtual reality-based motor coordination and cognitive training for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities, focusing on their autonomy and community participation. A low-cost innovative interaction interface between the user and the virtual environment was proposed to provide a more realistic and intuitive interaction experience. Nine people with disabilities were selected from an institutional care for people with disabilities and they were enrolled in a four-week experiment, which consisted in going through three challenges. The results show that the patients demonstrated statistically significant improvements regarding the task gave, also based on the observational analysis of the instructor and physiotherapist. Thus, the analysis indicates that the VR-based method can be effective in the motor development of those patients, improving their autonomy and cognitive skills.