Article

Play is an essential part of children's lives. Children with physical
disabilities experience difficulties in play, especially those with severe
physical disabilities.
With the progress of innovative technology, the
possibilities to support play are increasing.
The purpose of this literature
study is to gain insight into the aims, control options and commercial
availability of information and communication technology (ICT) and robots to
support play (especially play for the sake of play) in children with severe
physical disabilities. METHODS: A systematic literature search in the databases
PubMed, CINAHL, IEEE and ERIC was carried out. Titles and abstracts were assessed
independently by three reviewers. In addition, studies were selected using Google
Scholar, conference proceedings and reference lists. RESULTS: Three main groups
of technology for play could be distinguished: robots (n = 8), virtual reality
systems (n = 15) and computer systems (n = 4). Besides, ICT and robots developed
for specific therapy or educational goals using play-like activities, five of the
in total 27 technologies in this study described the aim of "play for play's
sake". CONCLUSIONS: Many ICT systems and robots to support play in children with
physical disabilities were found. Numerous technologies use play-like activities
to achieve therapeutic or educational goals. Robots especially are used for "play
for play's sake". Implications for Rehabilitation This study gives insight into
the aims, control options and commercial availability for application of robots
and ICT to support play in children with severe physical disabilities. This
overview can be used in both the fields of rehabilitation and special education
to search for new innovative intervention options and it can stimulate them to
use these innovative play materials. Especially robots may have great potential in supporting "play for play's sake".

Langue : ANGLAIS