The use of Virtual Reality for upper limb rehabilitation of hemiparetic Stroke patients

Abstract

Introduction:The Stroke is a neurologic disturbs that leads to a serious impact to the functionality and the quality of life of the survivors. It is necessary to develop new tools with rehabilitation objectives, where the Virtual Reality (VR) is introduced as a useful therapeutic resource to the motor recovery, in an attractive and efficient way, restoring functions through adapted games. Objective: Analyzing the therapeutic effects of the Virtual Reality (Serious Game) in the recovery of the upper limb in hemiparetic Stroke patients. Methods: Quasi-experimental research type time series, there are three pre and three post-tests already accomplished around 20 VR sessions. In the assessments the following measurement instruments were used: Fugl-Meyer Scale -session of the upper limb (FMS -UL); Range of Motion (ROM) for flexion and abduction shoulder; Box and Block Test (BBT); Nine Holes and Peg Test (9HPT); the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP); and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Results: Significant gains were observed in the FMS-UL tests, with

A serious game developed for physical rehabilitation of frail elderly

“…Moreover, an audio sound reinforced the correct motor behavior. The SG had 3 difficulty levels, which were set based on previous experiments of the research group [34]. Throughout the session, continuous visual and audible feedbacks were offered by the SG.…”

Games as a rehabilitation perspective of stroke patients

“…Com intuito de analisar os efeitos terapêuticos da realidade virtual na recuperação do membro superior de pacientes com AVC, pesquisadores criaram um jogo chamado "Dança na chuva", no qual o paciente interage com sua própria imagem, e deve impedir que as gotas de chuva atravessem o cenário na direção longitudinal (7). Os autores observaram um ganho de 25,6% na Escala Fugl Meyer, e 25% no Teste Box e Block.…”

An intelligent, adaptive, performance‐sensitive, and virtual reality‐based gaming platform for the upper limb

“…Thus, computer‐based platforms using virtual reality (VR) have been studied for their potential use in rehabilitation. This is because VR offers several advantages, for example, proponents highlighted the capability of VR systems to contribute to repetitive task practice with variations that are often motivating, real‐time feedback, safety, controllability, etc . Also, VR provides the flexibility to manipulate the rehabilitation paradigm, along with qualitative and quantitative feedback to the therapist and to the patient .…”