Efficacy of Using Virtual Reality in Post-Stroke Upper Limb Paresis

Abstract

Aim. To estimate the efficacy of using training by means of virtual reality in restoration of the upper limb function in patients during the acute period of stroke. Materials and methods. 48 patients in the acute period of stroke (average time from the onset of stroke 4.5 ± 1.3 days, mean age 67 (45; 72.1) years were randomized into 2 groups: the main group (standard therapy + virtual reality) and the control (standard therapy alone). Patients of the main group underwent a course of virtual reality training, lasting for 15 minutes, twice a day for 10 days. The functional status before the onset of training course and after it was evaluated using Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scores (FMA), Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), Ashworth Scale, Modified Barthel Index Score (MBI), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), 9-Hole Peg Test, Rankin Scale, Function Independence Measure (FIM) and dynamometry. Results. When assessing FMA of “upper limb” ( p = 0.029), “wrist” ( p = 0.04), “hand speed” ( p = 0.02); MAS ( p = 0.042), 9-Hole Peg Test ( p = 0.028), paretic hand dynamometry ( p = 0.03) and FIM ( p = 0.045), patients of the main group demonstrated statistically significant improvement versus the control group. Conclusions. The results detected that inclusion of a short training course, using virtual reality, improves the upper limb function in patients during the acute period of stroke.