Effectiveness of Commercial Video Games in Subacute Stroke Rehabilitation

Effectiveness of Commercial Video Games in Subacute Stroke Rehabilitation: Randomized Clinical Trial

Stroke creats dependancy of patients due to various associated impairments. The use of low-cost technologies for neurological rehabilitation may be beneficial for the treatment of these patients.

To determine the effectiveness of a structured protocol using semi-immersive virtual reality with commercial videogames for balance, postural control, functional independence, quality of life and motivation in patients who have suffered an ischemic and / or hemorrhagic stroke in subacute phase and are being treated in a mid-stay hospital.

Patients and methods: Randomized Controlled Trial. Simple blind. Control group will receive conventional therapy (physical therapy and occupational therapy) intervention being based on a task-oriented approach, with five weekly sessions of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy with duration of 45 minutes per session.

The experimental group will receive in addition to the above an experimental intervention during 8 weeks providing additional treatment using virtual reality semi-immersive complement is added by means of commercial video games implemented with the Xbox 360º video game console in conjunction with the Kinect device.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with CVA in subacute ischemic or hemorrhagic type.
• NIHSS scale score less than 20.
• MoCA test with scores equal to or greater than 14 (mild cognitive impairment or absence of cognitive impairment).
• Modified Rankin scale between 0-4.
• Patients with the ability to maintain autonomous sitting and standing with or without aids.
• Patients who have received the information document of the study and signed the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• NIHSS scale scores greater than 21 .

• MoCA test with score lower than 14.

• Modified Rankin scale between 5-6.

• Patients without the ability to maintain autonomous sitting.

• Patients who refused to sign the informed consent form.

• Hospital discharge expected at the beginning of the study.

• Patients who at any time have shown worsening of the general state, disinterest or desire to leave the study.

  • Pathologies susceptible to worsening or contraindication with virtual reality devices and commercial video games:

    • Photosensitive epilepsy.
    • Modified Ashworth scale greater than 2.
    • Moderate-severe cognitive impairment.
    • Visual alterations.
    • Non-collaborating patient.
    • Behavioral alterations.
    • Refusal to treatment with VR systems.
    • Presence of other neurological pathologies.
    • Other cardiovascular diseases that contraindicate physical exercise.

  • Visual or auditory, musculoskeletal, bone or joint alterations in acute or chronic phase that could influence the primary pathology.