Effects of immersive virtual reality with treadmill in subjects with Rett Syndrome: a pilot study

This dataset is related to a group of 9 girls affected by Rett Syndrome that performed three/four sessions of virtual reality based activity by means of the GRAIL system (Motek).

Participants underwent an initial assessment of the cognitive and motor aspects using the Modified Raven matrix, the Rett Assessment Rating Scale (RARS) and the Rett Syndrome Gross Motor Scale (GMS). These baseline assessments were performed by an experienced therapist prior to the access to the GRAIL.

The project consisted of 4 sessions of GRAIL activities in 1 week. During the first 3 sessions, exergames and augmented feedback activities were proposed. During the fourth session a gait analysis was conducted for the subjects with a suitable motor and behavioral level .

During all the sessions, a video recording was conducted to detect facial expression of the subjects, in order to use this data to compute the "happiness index". The exergames were administered until the therapists detected any sign of discomfort by the subject.

The outcome of the training, reported in the database were:

• happiness index
• endurance time
• performance speed
• attention focus on scenario
• suitability evaluation questionnaire
• multistep gait analysis with the GRAIL (only 4 patients).

The Happiness Index and the Suitability Evaluation Questionnaire investigated the feasibility and tolerability of the training with positive results. Additionally, an increase in walking speed, endurance time and focus attention was detected. When possible, subjects underwent a gait assessment whose results provide insights, although preliminary, concerning differences in gait pattern amongst the recruited subjects. Despite the small sample size, the dataset suggests new strategies for Rett rehabilitation.