Whac-A-Mole: Exploring Virtual Reality (VR) for Upper-Limb Post-Stroke Physical Rehabilitation based on Participatory Design and Serious Games

Paraense, Helder; Marques, Bernardo; Amorim, Paula; Dias, Paulo A.N.; Santos, Beatriz Sousa

doi:10.1109/vrw55335.2022.00209

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…User-centered design, on the other hand, is an iterative design approach where designers prioritize users and their needs at every stage of the design process. But there are methodologies that can be adopted in the development of IVR games, such as experience design [ 64 ], iterative design [ 65 , 66 ], experimental design [ 67 ], rapid prototyping methodology [ 68 ], and participatory design or co-design [ 69 , 70 ]. Participatory design, which involves professionals from different disciplines, has been employed by many scholars in healthcare for IVR game development [ 71 , 72 ] and could be particularly relevant for the development of rehabilitation solutions but has not been investigated yet in this particular field.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technological Features of Immersive Virtual Reality Systems for Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

Diriba Kenea,

Gemechu Abessa,

Lamba

et al. 2024

Sensors

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Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide, and it greatly impacts the quality of life for survivors by causing impairments in their upper limbs. Due to the difficulties in accessing rehabilitation services, immersive virtual reality (IVR) is an interesting approach to improve the availability of rehabilitation services. This systematic review evaluates the technological characteristics of IVR systems used in the rehabilitation of upper limb stroke patients. Twenty-five publications were included. Various technical aspects such as game engines, programming languages, headsets, platforms, game genres, and technical evaluation were extracted from these papers. Unity 3D and C# are the primary tools for creating IVR apps, while the Oculus Quest (Meta Platforms Technologies, Menlo Park, CA, USA) is the most often used headset. The majority of systems are created specifically for rehabilitation purposes rather than being readily available for purchase (i.e., commercial games). The analysis also highlights key areas for future research, such as game assessment, the combination of hardware and software, and the potential integration incorporation of biofeedback sensors. The study highlights the significance of technological progress in improving the effectiveness and user-friendliness of IVR. It calls for additional research to fully exploit IVR’s potential in enhancing stroke rehabilitation results.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technological Features of Immersive Virtual Reality Systems for Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

Diriba Kenea,

Gemechu Abessa,

Lamba

et al. 2024

Sensors

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“…Further studies could nonetheless consider previous therapeutical approaches and/or time after event related variables, if only for descriptive purposes. Third, even though the current evidence seems to support the implementation of the use of VR and video games in the rehabilitation of stroke patients, the “enactment” of the most effective VR-based modality (i.e., real-world games [ 36 ], use of assisted robotics [ 37 ]) remains unexplored, and further research in the field, focusing on the comparison of different VR-based approaches, as well as the use of participatory designs involving different strata of the therapeutic scene [ 39 ], is required in the future.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This efficacy is explained by their numerous applications and beneficial effects in patients affected by neurological, psychiatric or musculoskeletal pathologies [ 27 ]. The implementation of this technology in the field of neurology is of paramount importance, since there is a large number of studies supporting and endorsing the beneficial effects on the patient, specifically in stroke rehabilitation [ 28 , 29 ], providing improvements in gait, postural balance, trunk balance, strength, spasticity, upper limb motor function and improvements in cognitive level and attention, among others [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Virtual Reality and Videogames in the Physiotherapy Treatment of Stroke Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Peláez-Vélez

Eckert

Gacto-Sánchez

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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A stroke is a neurological condition with a high impact in terms of physical disability in the adult population, requiring specific and effective rehabilitative approaches. Virtual reality (VR), a technological approach in constant evolution, has great applicability in many fields of rehabilitation, including strokes. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a traditional neurological physiotherapy-based approach combined with the implementation of a specific VR-based program in the treatment of patients following rehabilitation after a stroke. Participants (n = 24) diagnosed with a stroke in the last six months were randomly allocated into a control group (n = 12) and an experimental group (n = 12). Both groups received one-hour sessions of neurological physiotherapy over 6 weeks, whilst the experimental group was, in addition, supplemented with VR. Patients were assessed through the Daniels and Worthingham Scale, Modified Ashworth Scale, Motor Index, Trunk Control Test, Tinetti Balance Scale, Berg Balance Scale and the Functional Ambulation Classification of the Hospital of Sagunto. Statistically significant improvements were obtained in the experimental group with respect to the control group on the Motricity Index (p = 0.005), Trunk Control Test (p = 0.008), Tinetti Balance Scale (p = 0.004), Berg Balance Scale (p = 0.007) and the Functional Ambulation Classification of the Hospital of Sagunto (p = 0.038). The use of VR in addition to the traditional physiotherapy approach is a useful strategy in the treatment of strokes.

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“…These characteristics make it a very attractive device and invite future research on new more affordable and accessible devices, which could facilitate its implementation in homes and medical centers. We were able to find works [24] in which these devices are beginning to be used, and in which a resulting simplification can be observed in terms of installation and configuration of the VR space. Taking into account the above, it would be of great interest to carry out a comparative study between HTC VIVE and Oculus Quest.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Personalized Virtual Reality Environments for Intervention with People with Disability

et al. 2022

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Background: Virtual reality (VR) is a technological resource that allows the generation of an environment of great realism while achieving user immersion. The purpose of this project is to use VR as a complementary tool in the rehabilitation process of people with physical and cognitive disabilities. An approach based on performing activities of daily living is proposed. Methods: Through joint work between health and IT professionals, the VR scenarios and skills to be trained are defined. We organized discussion groups in which health professionals and users with spinal injury, stroke, or cognitive impairment participated. A testing phase was carried out, followed by a qualitative perspective. As materials, Unity was used as a development platform, HTC VIVE as a VR system, and Leap Motion as a hand tracking device and as a means of interacting with the scenarios. Results: A VR application was developed, consisting of four scenarios that allow for practicing different activities of daily living. Three scenarios are focused on hand mobility rehabilitation, while the remaining scenario is intended to work on a cognitive skill related to the identification of elements to perform a task. Conclusions: Performing activities of daily living using VR environments provides an enjoyable, motivating, and safe means of rehabilitation in the daily living process of people with disabilities and is a valuable source of information for healthcare professionals to assess a patient’s evolution.

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Whac-A-Mole: Exploring Virtual Reality (VR) for Upper-Limb Post-Stroke Physical Rehabilitation based on Participatory Design and Serious Games

Cited by 11 publications

References 0 publications

Technological Features of Immersive Virtual Reality Systems for Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

Technological Features of Immersive Virtual Reality Systems for Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

Use of Virtual Reality and Videogames in the Physiotherapy Treatment of Stroke Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Personalized Virtual Reality Environments for Intervention with People with Disability

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