This week, an article from bbc.co.uk revealed that
researchers in Spain have found virtual reality enhancement to significantly improve
stroke patients’ recovery by “tricking” them into thinking their affected limb
is more accurate than it really is. In the pilot study of 20 stroke patients using
'Rehabilitation Gaming System' with a Microsoft Kinect sensor, researchers
would sometimes enhance the virtual representation of the patients’ weakened
limb to make it seem to move faster and more accurately, without letting them
know. As a result, the patients unwittingly used their affected limbs with increased
confidence.
Enhanced recovery
Belen Rubio from the Laboratory of Synthetic, Perceptive,
Emotive and Cognitive Systems at Pompeu Fabra University in Spain said:
“Surprisingly, only 10 minutes of enhancement was enough to induce significant
changes in the amount of spontaneous use of the affected limb.” The chances of
the group of 20 patients using their paretic limb to reach for something straight
in front of them was, on average, 35% of
the time – but after using virtual reality enhancement, the chances of them
using their paretic arm increased to an average of 50% of the time – on par
with a healthy person.
Increased motor function
Stroke patients tend to underutilise their paretic limbs,
which can weaken them even more and lead to loss of motor function. The results
of the study showed the researchers that stroke patients’ confidence play an
important role in enhancing their recovery. Mrs Rubio also said: "This
therapy could create a virtuous circle of recovery, in which positive feedback,
spontaneous arm use and motor performance can reinforce each other. Engaging
patients in this ongoing cycle of spontaneous arm use, training and learning
could produce a remarkable impact on their recovery process."
Although the results show
that virtual reality enhancement is, indeed, an effective therapy, further
research on a larger number of participants will take place in the future to
establish whether the therapy can impact stroke patients’ day-to-day lives.
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