Effects Of Virtual Reality Associated With Serious Games For Upper Limb Rehabilitation In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Dexterity and activities of daily living limitations on the upper limb (UL) represent one of the most common problems in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the specially developed Serious Games that make use of the Leap Motion Controller (LMC) as main user interface for improving UL grip muscle strength, dexterity, fatigue, quality of life, satisfaction and compliance.Methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. The sample was randomized into two groups: an experimental group who received treatment based on serious games designed by the research team using the developed LMC based Serious Games for the UL plus conventional rehabilitation, and a control group who received the same conventional rehabilitation for the UL. Both groups received two 60 min sessions per week over a ten-week period. Grip muscle strength, coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross UL dexterity, fatigue, quality of life, satisfaction and compliance were assessed in both groups pre-treatment, post-treatment and in a follow-up period of one month without receiving any treatment.Results: In the experimental group compared to the control group, significant improvements were observed in the post-treatment assessment for coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross UL dexterity. Also, significant results were found in the follow-up in coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross for the more affected side. Conclusions: An experimental protocol using an LMC based Serious Games designed for UL rehabilitation showed improvements for unilateral gross manual dexterity, fine manual dexterity, and coordination in MS patients with high satisfaction and excellent compliance.

Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality Exercise Therapy for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury Using the Leap Motion Controller

“…It has also shown enhanced upper limb function for multiple sclerosis patients, and in the experimental group compared to the control group, significant improvements were observed in the post-treatment assessment for coordination, speed of movements, and fine and gross upper limb dexterity. Also, significant results were found in the follow-up in coordination, speed of movements, and fine and gross for the more affected side, as demonstrated by Cuesta-Gómez et al [16]. However, findings regarding distal radial fractures were inconclusive, according to Arora et al [17].…”

Technology-Based Rehabilitation in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Narrative Review

“…VR rehabilitation programs were applied for 8-24 sessions, and each session lasted between 15 and 60 minutes (Table 3). In most studies, VR rehabilitation was compared with conventional rehabilitation (38)(39)(40)(41) VR applications are promising approaches used to improve rehabilitation processes. Physiotherapists should be informed of these systems and trained about using them to expand VR use in clinical settings.…”