Home-based -Virtual Reality Intervention for Stroke Rehabilitation

Virtual Reality Intervention for Stroke Rehabilitation - Home Based (Stage 2)

On-going rehabilitation is needed to maintain and improve the weaker upper extremity following stroke. Community rehabilitation programs for stroke individuals in the chronic stage are often difficult to be implement. Consequently, many individuals remain without structured interventional programs. Self-training programs, where individuals can independently continue to exercise at home, might answer this challenge. However, since exercising alone is boring and not motivating, individuals often stop the prescribed exercises and remain inactive. The use of video-games for self-training might answer this challenge.

Therefore, the investigators aimed to assess the feasibility of using video-games for self-training after stroke. Specifically the investigators aim to compare the (1) training time, (2) satisfaction and (3) effectiveness of a self-training program using video-games compared to a traditional self-training program.

This is a single-blind randomized controlled trial with four assessments; two before and two following the 5-week self training intervention.

Individuals are requested to perform the self training (video-games or traditional exercises) 60 minutes a day for 5 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 6 to 36 months after stroke onset
• lived in the community with family or a caregiver
• mild to moderate weakness the affected upper extremity
• without significant cognitive deficit
• able to walk at least 10-meters (with or without assistance).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other neurological conditions
• Epilepsy