Additional Virtual Reality Training Research Articles

Virtual Reality Training Improves Upper Limb Functions in Stroke Survivors

Stroke survivors with upper extremity functional limitation are particularly susceptible to problems in performing independent ADLs. Virtual Reality training has a significant contribution to enhancing the independence of stroke survivors. Objective: To determine the effect of additional VR training on upper limb gross motor function, gross manual dexterity, and functional activities in hemiplegic stroke survivors. Methods: It was a single-group experimental study in which 20 participants were recruited through non-probability convenient sampling. Participants were included in the study if they had any sort of stroke (hemorrhagic or infarct), were between the ages of 30 and 70, had at least one score on the box and block test, and did not have any cognitive deficits or uncontrolled high blood pressure. The intervention was provided three days a week for a total of six weeks. Gross motor function, gross manual dexterity, and functional capacities of the upper limb were measured at baseline, 2nd, 4th and at 6th week of intervention through Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Box and Block Test, and Wolf Motor Assessment Scale respectively. Data were analyzed through within-group inferential analysis using SPSS-21 software. Results: The mean age of patients was 49.45 ± 11.02 years. The scores of the Fugl-Mayer Assessment Scale, Box and Block Test and Wolf Motor Assessment Scale were significantly improved from baseline to six weeks (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study concluded that the hemiplegic stroke survivors who received additional Virtual Reality training using Xbox Kinect showed significant improvement in Gross motor Function, Gross Manual Dexterity and Functional Abilities of the Upper Limb.

Effect of Virtual Reality Training Using Leap Motion Controller on Impairments and Disability in Patients with Wrist and Hand Stiffness

Background and Purpose: Virtual reality (VR) training targets not only the musculoskeletal, but also theneurological system and has been successfully used in neurological rehabilitation. Our objective was to testwhether there are any benefits of adding VR training with conventional physiotherapy on impairments anddisability of wrist and hand stiffness, in patients with distal forearm fractures and early rheumatoid handaffection.Methodology: In this experimental study, 50 patients suffering from wrist and hand stiffness were alternatelyallocated into either Conventional physiotherapy group and VR with conventional physiotherapy group.Both the groups completed 8-12 training sessions over a period of 4 weeks comprising of similar protocol ofconventional physiotherapy with only the VR group receiving additional VR training. Patient was assessedon outcome measures pre and post treatment.Results: All the outcome measures showed significant improvement in both groups. On between groupcomparisons, the VR group showed significantly greater improvements on the outcome measures of gripstrength, dexterity (left hand and assembly), wrist flexion, ulnar deviation, forearm range of motion andwork component of Michigan Hand Questionnaire when compared to the conventional group. There wereno differences between groups on outcome measure of pain, wrist extension, wrist ulnar deviation and totaldisability score of Michigan Hand Questionnaire.Conclusion: We conclude that, adding virtual reality training to conventional physiotherapy has benefits onoutcome of grip strength, hand dexterity, work component of disability and direction specific improvementin the range of motion of wrist and forearm as compared to conventional physiotherapy alone.

Effects of Virtual Reality Training using Xbox Kinect on Motor Function in Stroke Survivors: A Preliminary Study

Although the Kinect gaming system (Microsoft Corp, Redmond, WA) has been shown to be of therapeutic benefit in rehabilitation, the applicability of Kinect-based virtual reality (VR) training to improve motor function following a stroke has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of VR training, using the Xbox Kinect-based game system, on the motor recovery of patients with chronic hemiplegic stroke. This was a randomized controlled trial. Twenty patients with hemiplegic stroke were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Participants in the intervention group (n = 10) received 30 minutes of conventional physical therapy plus 30 minutes of VR training using Xbox Kinect-based games, and those in the control group (n = 10) received 30 minutes of conventional physical therapy only. All interventions consisted of daily sessions for a 6-week period. All measurements using Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-LE), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and the 10-meter Walk Test (10mWT) were performed at baseline and at the end of the 6 weeks. The scores on the FMA-LE, BBS, TUG, and 10mWT improved significantly from baseline to post intervention in both the intervention and the control groups after training. The pre-to-post difference scores on BBS, TUG, and 10mWT for the intervention group were significantly more improved than those for the control group (P <.05). Evidence from the present study supports the use of additional VR training with the Xbox Kinect gaming system as an effective therapeutic approach for improving motor function during stroke rehabilitation.

The Effect of Additional Virtual Reality Training on Balance in Children with Cerebral Palsy after Lower Limb Surgery: A Feasibility Study.

Impaired balance is disabling for children with cerebral palsy (CPc), especially for CPc who recently underwent lower limb surgery. Positive results of using virtual reality (VR) in balance rehabilitation have been published in several outpatient populations. We investigated the feasibility of applying additional VR training focused on sitting balance in CP inpatients of a rehabilitation center after lower limb surgery. Additionally, we investigated the rate of enjoyment of VR training compared with conventional physiotherapy. Eleven spastic CPc (4/7 males/females) following rehabilitation after lower limb orthopedic surgery were included (5-18 years). The control group received conventional physiotherapy. The intervention group received additional VR training. Balance was measured using the Trunk Control Measurement Scale every 3 weeks of the rehabilitation period. Enjoyment was analyzed using a 10-point Visual Analog Scale. Providing additional VR training was feasible in terms of recruitment, treatment adherence, and assessment adherence. Both groups improved sitting balance after therapy. The current games were not perceived as more enjoyable than conventional physiotherapy. Including additional VR training to conventional physiotherapy is feasible and might be promising to train sitting balance in CPc after lower limb surgery. Future research should take equal patient allocation and training duration between groups into consideration.

Additional Virtual Reality Sitting Balance Training Using XBox Kinect™ in Patients with Neurological Disorders: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Sitting balance is a prerequisite to upper extremity function, standing and walking, which is affected in various neurological diseases. It is important to attain a good level of sitting balance before one can proceed to standing. In recent years, virtual reality game training has gained a widespread application. Aim: This pilot study aimed to examine the role of additional virtual reality sitting balance training using a commercial interactive virtual reality system- Xbox Kinect™ in patients with neurological disorders.Materials and Methods: Four patients with sitting balance impairments following neurological disorders received two weeks of virtual reality based therapy along with the conventional physiotherapy. Sitting balance was evaluated using FIST (Function In Sitting Test) scores at baseline, one week and after two weeks of intervention.Results: All four patients showed clinically significant improvement in FIST score between the pre and post intervention. Percentage of improvement in FIST score was approximately 27% with a minimum change of 10 points in the FIST score Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID=6.5).Conclusion: Additional virtual reality training may improve sitting balance control in neurological patients with balance impairments. It can be used as an adjunct in routine neurorehabilitation.

The effect of additional virtual reality training on balance control in children with cerebral palsy after lower limb surgery: A pilot-study

The effect of additional virtual reality training on balance control in children with cerebral palsy after lower limb surgery: A pilot-study

Virtual reality for upper extremity rehabilitation in early stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Objectives: To investigate the effect of virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation on upper extremity motor performance of patients with early stroke. Design: Pilot randomized controlled trial. Setting: Rehabilitation wards. Participants: Twenty three adults with stroke (mean age (SD) = 58.35 (13.45) years and mean time since stroke (SD) = 16.30 (7.44) days). Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to VR group (n=11) or control group (n=12). VR group received nine 30 minutes upper extremity VR therapy in standing (five weekdays in two weeks) plus conventional therapy, which included physical and occupational therapy. Control group received only conventional therapy, which was comparable to total training time received by VR group (mean training hours (SD):VR = 17.07 (2.86); control = 15.50 (2.79)). Main outcome measures: The main outcome measure was the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). Secondary outcomes included Action Research Arm Test, Motor Activity Log and Functional Independence Measure. Results were taken at baseline, post intervention and 1-month post intervention. Participants’ feedback and adverse effects were recorded. Results: All participants improved in FMA scores (mean change (SD) = 11.65 (8.56), P<.001). These effects were sustained at one month after intervention (mean (SD) change from baseline = 18.67 (13.26), P<.001). All other outcome measures showed similar patterns. There were no significant differences in improvement between both groups. Majority of the participants found VR training useful and enjoyable, with no serious adverse effects reported. Conclusion: Although additional VR training was not superior to conventional therapy alone, this study demonstrates the feasibility of VR training in early stroke.

Additional Virtual Reality Training Using Xbox Kinect in Stroke Survivors with Hemiplegia

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of additional virtual reality training using Xbox Kinect on upper extremity function, including range of motion, motor function, and gross manual dexterity, in stroke survivors with hemiplegia. This study is a randomized controlled trial. Forty participants were randomly allocated to either the experimental or control groups; the experimental group (n = 20) underwent virtual reality training using Xbox Kinect and conventional occupational therapy, and the control group (n = 20) underwent conventional occupational therapy alone. The mean time since the onset of stroke was 7.22 mos in the experimental group and 8.47 mos in the control group. At baseline and after 6 wks of intervention, range of motion of the upper extremity was measured, and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and the Box and Block Test were performed. After intervention, significant improvements from baseline values in range of motion of the upper extremity, Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores, and Box and Block Test scores were observed in the experimental and control groups (P < 0.05). At follow-up, there were significant differences between the two groups in range of motion (except for the wrist), Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores, and Box and Block Test scores (P < 0.05). The hemiplegic stroke survivors who received additional virtual reality training using Xbox Kinect showed significantly improved function of the upper extremity. However, the effects of the virtual reality training using Xbox Kinect may have been a result of the greater total intervention time in the training group compared with the control group. Thus, the potential efficacy of Xbox Kinect in the rehabilitation of post-stroke survivors needs to be investigated in greater depth.

Using the Mind as a Simulator: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mental Training

Laparoscopic simulators have been introduced as safe and effective methods of developing basic skills. Mental training is a novel training method likened to using the mind as a simulator to mentally rehearse the movements of a task or operation. It is widely used by professional athletes and musicians and has been suggested as a technique that could be used by surgical trainees. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of mental training in developing basic laparoscopic skills in novices. Sixty-four medical students without laparoscopic experience were randomized into 4 groups. The first 3 groups were trained to cut a circle on a box trainer. Group 1 received no additional training (BT), Group 2 received additional virtual reality training (BT + VRS), and Group 3 received additional mental training (BT + MT). The fourth group was trained on a virtual reality simulator with additional mental training (box-free). The following 4 assessment criterias: time, accuracy, precision and overall performance were measured on both the box-trainer and virtual simulator. The mental training group (BT + MT) demonstrated improved laparoscopic skills over both assessments. The improvement in skills in the VRS group (BT + VRS) was limited to VRS assessment and not observed in the box assessment. The fourth group (box-free) had the worst performance on both methods of assessment. The addition of mental training led to improved laparoscopic skills development. It is a flexible technique and has the potential to challenge VRS as a more cost-effective training method associated with lower capital investment. Given the benefits of mental training with further research, it could be considered for inclusion in training curricula.