Effects of Augmented Reality Games on the Upper Extremity Function and Stress of Stroke Patients

Abstract

To examine the effects of an augmented reality game on upper extremity function and stress in stroke patients with upper extremity function difficulty. Twenty stroke patients were randomized into a control group of 10 subjects and an experimental group of 10 subjects. The control group received conventional occupational therapy, while the experimental group received the same conventional occupational therapy as for the control group but also played an augmented reality game for 30 minutes per session, three times a week over the course of 8 weeks. The subjects were evaluated using the manual function test (MFT) and CMS-10 (Compact Measuring System) for their upper extremity functions and using the stress scale for psychological factors before and after the intervention. MFT showed significant differences before and after the experiment in both groups (p .05). The range of motion of the elbow joint showed significant differences before and after the experiment in the experimental group only (p<.05). The intragroup and intergroup changes in stress showed significant differences before and after the experiment only in the experimental group (p<.05). The findings of this study revealed that augmented reality games are effective in the improvement of upper extremity function and reduction of stress in stroke patients.