The potential of virtual reality in rehabilitating stroke patients and individuals with mobility impairments.

Introduction

Virtual reality (VR) technology is emerging as a promising tool in the rehabilitation of stroke patients and individuals with mobility impairments. This synthesis explores the potential benefits and effectiveness of VR in improving motor function, balance, mobility, and cognitive abilities in these populations.

Key Insights

Improvement in Upper Limb Motor Function:
- VR-based therapy significantly improves upper limb motor function in stroke patients compared to conventional therapies .
- Meta-analyses show that VR interventions lead to better outcomes in motor function assessments like the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FM-UE) and Box and Block Test (BBT) .
Enhanced Mobility and Balance:
- VR exercises improve balance and mobility in stroke rehabilitation inpatients, with significant gains in tests like the Timed Up and Go and Two-Minute Walk Test .
- VR-based interventions show favorable effects on dynamic balance and walking speed, aiding in independent community ambulation .
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
- VR environments are effective for cognitive rehabilitation, particularly in improving problem-solving, memory, and task sequencing in stroke survivors.
- VR treatment has shown benefits for patients with severe cognitive impairments and reduced hospital stay durations.
Motivation and Engagement:
- Gamification techniques in VR enhance patient motivation and engagement, which are crucial for effective rehabilitation.
- VR creates an interactive and motivating environment that can be tailored to individual needs, increasing the intensity and effectiveness of practice.
Home-Based Rehabilitation:
- Telerehabilitation using VR systems allows for ongoing rehabilitation at home with remote monitoring and feedback from therapists, showing promising results in upper limb motor recovery.
- Home-based VR interventions can extend the benefits of rehabilitation beyond the clinical setting, ensuring continuity of care.

Conclusion

Virtual reality technology holds significant potential in the rehabilitation of stroke patients and individuals with mobility impairments. It enhances upper limb motor function, balance, and mobility, and provides effective cognitive rehabilitation. The interactive and engaging nature of VR, combined with its ability to be used in home-based settings, makes it a valuable adjunct to conventional rehabilitation therapies.

The potential of virtual reality in rehabilitating stroke patients and individuals with mobility impairments.

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Virtual Reality in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Meta-Analysis and Implications for Clinicians

Virtual reality (VR) technology can potentially improve upper arm motor function after stroke when combined with conventional rehabilitation.

Virtual Reality for Stroke Rehabilitation

Virtual reality systems show promise in improving stroke rehabilitation outcomes, potentially replacing traditional rehabilitation programs.

Virtual Reality Exercise Improves Mobility After Stroke: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial

Virtual reality exercise in inpatient stroke rehabilitation improves mobility-related outcomes compared to standard therapy alone.

Virtual reality-augmented rehabilitation for patients following stroke.

Virtual reality (VR) may be useful in augmenting upper limb rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients by improving range of motion, movement speed, fractionation, and force production.

Immersive Virtual Reality for the Cognitive Rehabilitation of Stroke Survivors

Immersive virtual reality, such as VIRTUE, effectively improves cognitive rehabilitation for stroke survivors, with benefits observed particularly for those with severe cognitive impairments and a reduction in hospital stay time.

Virtual reality for the rehabilitation of the upper limb motor function after stroke: a prospective controlled trial

Virtual Reality (VR) rehabilitation is more effective than conventional interventions in restoring upper limb motor impairments and motor related functional abilities in post-stroke patients.

Virtual reality therapy for upper limb rehabilitation in patients with stroke: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Virtual reality therapy shows significant improvement in upper limb motor rehabilitation compared to conventional therapies in patients with stroke.

Maximizing post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation using a novel telerehabilitation interactive virtual reality system in the patient's home: study protocol of a randomized clinical trial.

Telerehabilitation using interactive virtual reality can enhance post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation and quality of life for patients, enhancing continuity of care beyond current available services.

Game-Based Virtual Reality Interventions to Improve Upper Limb Motor Function and Quality of Life After Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Game-based virtual reality interventions show potential benefits in improving upper limb motor function and quality of life after stroke.

Efficacy of virtual reality-based intervention on balance and mobility disorders post-stroke: a scoping review

Virtual reality-based interventions show significant improvements in dynamic balance and walking speed for stroke patients, potentially facilitating independent community ambulation.

Try another search