2024 Children's of Alabama/UAB Annual Report

Equipment Needed The best part about using extended reality to help improve the health of children with disabilities is that the tools used in Lai and Wright’s research are accessible in the market. With extended reality, children wear head-mounted displays and use controllers to participate in exercises that are adapted to their needs. There are adaptable controller hand and head straps for children who may have limited hand strength. The games used for these extended reality experiences can be found on the headset’s app store and modified to fit the child’s needs. Some of the gaming categories include fitness games, such as boxing or table tennis, rhythmic movement-to-music games, and mindfulness meditation games. The division’s research studies intentionally utilize off-the-shelf supplies so the program can be replicated in real-world settings. Parents just need to purchase a headset and accessories from their local retailers, purchase games from the headset’s store, and make game setting adjustments to best fit the child’s needs. Some of the settings parents can adjust include turning on “No Fail” mode, turning off “Obstacles,” adjusting height and making games playable with one hand. By adjusting these types of settings, parents can help enhance playability in a seated position. Safety Tips Extended reality headsets have embedded safety features that include requiring the user to set up a play space that allows plenty of room for movement. If the player goes out of the designated safety zone, the game will project the child’s environment on the headset to prevent injury. For parents who may be concerned about extended reality’s effects on vision, Lai says short-term studies currently show there is no effect on vision. The main factor parents should consider is the minimum age requirement of 10 years old, established by the headset manufacturer. Future of Lai’s Research Lai has conducted several virtual reality projects that have been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Forge AHEAD Center, the Center for Engagement in Disability Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the UAB Department of Pediatrics. These projects have allowed Lai to test various extended reality therapies for children in a variety of settings, including the pediatric intensive care unit, physical and occupational therapy clinics, pediatric cancer rehabilitation, participants’ homes, and even local schools. A recently completed study at Pelham High School demonstrated that a clinical program can be delivered safely for children as part of their physical education curriculum at school. The program is run by and for children with disabilities. The success of this program has sparked interest in adopting similar programs in the Trussville City School System.

2024 Academic Annual Report

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