The use of the virtual reality technology for the restoration of movements of the paretic hand after stroke

We have undertaken for the first time in this country a study of the effect of motor training under conditions of virtual reality (VR) based on the use of the PlayStation II apparatus with the input of video images via a colour digital video camera and the Eye Toy Play-3 computer animation program (Sony) for the medical rehabilitation of 47 patients aged from 21 to 76 years who presented with post-stroke arm/hand paresis. The mean duration of this pathology was roughly 8 months. Each training session lasted 20-30 minutes; a total of 5 seances per week were carried out during 10 days. The effect was evaluated either clinically (based on the motor assessment scale, MAS) or biomechanically with the help of the Mini Birds electromagnetic system (Ascension Technology Corporation, USA). It was shown that the application of the virtual reality technology is especially efficacious in the patients with stroke localization in the right hemisphere. It decreased the severity of paresis not only in the proximal segments of the limb but also in its distal parts (wrist). This effect can be attributed to neuroplasticity. Moreover, the training increased the accuracy of hitting the target, decreased the curvature of the trajectory of motion, and reduced the time needed to fully accomplish the task.

stroke, rehabilitation, virtual reality technology