Not worse than physical education
Virtual reality helped to recover from a stroke no worse than physical therapy
Elizaveta Ivtushok, N+1
Virtual reality turned out to be as effective for restoring limb functions as conventional physical therapy. This was found out by German scientists who tested the effect of two techniques on 120 patients undergoing rehabilitation after a stroke. Article by Brunner et al. Virtual Reality Training for Upper Extremity in Subacute Stroke (VIRTUES) is published in the journal Neurology.
Virtual reality technologies have long ceased to serve exclusively for entertainment. For example, VR glasses with simulated social interactions are used to treat paranoia, treat depression and even fear of death. Scientists from the University of Bergen (Norway) have tested the effectiveness of VR in restoring the motor functions of the upper extremities after a stroke.
Physiotherapy is usually used for these purposes: therapeutic gymnastics is prescribed to patients, the ultimate goal of which is to restore the lost connection between the motor parts of the brain and the corresponding limbs. Therefore, the participants of the experiment were divided into two groups: the first group of 60 people were prescribed regular restorative training, and the other 60 patients received training using virtual reality. Patients from both groups did not differ significantly both in time after stroke and in the severity of limb paresis.
The kit used for the second group consisted of VR glasses and gloves equipped with sensors. During training, patients were offered (depending on the state of their motor functions) different actions: for example, to reach for an object or grab a nearby object. During the four weeks of rehabilitation, participants from both groups had to undergo appropriate training 16 times; the state of motor functions of their upper limbs was assessed before the start of rehabilitation, immediately after completion of the course and three months later using a standardized test.
The researchers found that the motor functions of the upper extremities significantly (p<0.001) improved in all participants of the experiment, regardless of the type of rehabilitation. In addition, the scientists found no difference in the effectiveness of the two methods used: both traditional physiotherapy and VR therapy improved limb functionality by 21 percent immediately after the end of training and by 30 - three months after the end.
Scientists come to the conclusion that with the equal effectiveness of both traditional physiotherapy and the use of VR technologies, the second method wins due to the fact that the doctor can independently adjust tasks depending on the severity of the patient's condition and which motor functions require restoration. The authors also note that the method of rehabilitation they have tested is not intended to completely replace established methods, but can be used depending on the patient's preferences.
Other technologies are also used to restore motor functions after a stroke. For example, here you can read about how the motor functions of the patient's hands were restored using a neurointerface without deep stimulation.
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