The Development of Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Program Using Virtual Reality for the Stroke Patients

Mobile Game-based Virtual Reality Rehabilitation Program for Upper Limb Dysfunction After Ischemic Stroke

Using the upper extremity rehabilitation program developed by virtual reality would help the recovery upper extremity function in patients with stroke.

This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial included 24 patients with ischemic stroke. The intervention group received 30 min of conventional occupational therapy (OT) and 30 min of the mobile upper extremity rehabilitation program using a smartphone and a tablet PC (MoU-Rehab). The controls (n = 12) received conventional OT alone for 1 h per day. Rehabilitation consisted of 10 sessions of therapy, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks. The outcome measures (Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the upper extremity [FMA-UE], Brunnstr¨om stage [B-stage] for the arm and the hand, manual muscle testing [MMT], modified Barthel index [MBI], EuroQol-5 Dimension [EQ-5D], and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]) were assessed at the beginning and end of treatment, and at 1 month. User satisfaction was evaluated by a qestionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke confirmed by brain imaging study
• upper extremity dysfunction
• possible to use a simple device

Exclusion Criteria:

• delirium, confusion or other evidence related to the consciousness
• uncontrolled medical or surgical disease
• unable to command to the order due to severe cognitive impairment
• visual impairment
• unable to sit