Virtual and Augmented Reality in Post-stroke Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are noble adjunctive technologies currently being studied for the neuro-rehabilitation of post-stroke patients, potentially enhancing conventional therapy. We explored the literature to find if VR/AR improves neuroplasticity in stroke rehabilitation for a better quality of life. This modality can lay the foundation for telerehabilitation services in remote areas. We analyzed four databases, namely Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, by searching the following keywords: ("Stroke Rehabilitation" [Majr]) AND ("Augmented Reality" [Majr]), Virtual Augmented Reality in Stroke Rehabilitation. All the available open articles were reviewed and outlined. The studies conclude that VR/AR can help in early rehabilitation and yield better results in post-stroke patients in adjunct to conventional therapy. However, due to the limited research on this subject, we cannot conclude that this information is absolute. Moreover, VR/AR was seldom customized according to the needs of stroke survivors, which would have given us the full extent of its application. Around the world, stroke survivors are being studied to verify the accessibility and practicality of these innovative technologies. Observations conclude that further exploration of the extent of the implementations and efficacy of VR and AR, combined with conventional rehabilitation, is fundamental.

Exploring the Efficacy of Physiotherapy in Guillain-Barré Syndrome Through Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation: A Case Report

“…[18][19][20]. Their findings suggest that VR and interactive video gaming did not show greater benefits than traditional therapy methods for enhancing upper limb function [21].…”

A Sensor-Based Upper Limb Treatment in Hemiplegic Patients: Results from a Randomized Pilot Study

“…It offers a new possibility to provide feedback on a patient’s performance by directly interconnecting motor behaviour with actions in the virtual scenario. Moreover, the simulation of activities through games that mix virtual stimuli, objects, and environments with real ones (augmented reality) in combination with conventional therapy [ 24 , 25 ] has been developed for post-stroke rehabilitation and proved to be effective for upper limb recovery [ 26 ].…”

Role of Virtual Reality as a Therapeutic Approach and Its Impact on Quality of Life and Functional Independence in Stroke Survivor: A Review

“…Stroke constitutes between 2% to 4% of global health care expenses, with industrialised nations demonstrating that stroke accounts for more than 4% of direct health care costs (4).In order to improve patients' quality of life, rehabilitation is an essential part of addressing post-stroke problems . A multidisciplinary strategy is used in rehabilitation with the goal of improving and restoring normal physiological processes in different body parts (5).…”