The Use of Virtual Reality Technologies during Physiotherapy of the Paretic Upper Limb in Patients after Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system and is a major cause of disability. Expected higher number of instances of stroke in the future is a challenge for physiotherapy, and therefore requires the introduction of innovative methods for rehabilitation of patients after stroke. Virtual rehabilitation is increasingly more often used in the process of restoration of efficiency in paretic upper limb in patients after stroke, which has been confirmed by scientific reports in recent years. Aim: The aim the following article is an attempt at defining the impact of virtual reality physiotherapy on improvement in motor performance of the paretic upper limb and the limb not affected by paresis in patients after ischemic stroke. Material and method: During the study a computer program "Neuroforma" from Titanis Ltd. was used, which enables physiotherapy in a virtual environment. Used as a research tools are the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and Ashworth Scale. The study included 13 patients after ischemic stroke, who remained in the rehabilitation ward. Conclusions: In the group of participants there was noticed improvement in the paretic upper limb and in the upper limb without paresis in the speed of performing functional tasks as well as in hand grip strength.