Efficacy of Immersive Virtual Reality vs Standard Therapy in Upper Limb Motor Rehabilitation in Post Stroke Patients

Document Type

Conference Proceeding - Restricted Access

Publication Date

5-9-2025

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of acquired upper extremity dysfunction and disability in adults, significantly impacting independence and quality of life. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) has emerged as an innovative rehabilitation tool for stroke patients, leveraging task repetition and goal-directed activities to improve motor function.

This meta-analysis includes nine randomized controlled trials, consisting of 381 stroke survivors, to evaluate the efficacy of IVR compared to conventional therapy. The primary outcomes assessed were motor function enhancement and functional independence, measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and Barthel Index (BI), respectively.

IVR therapy demonstrated statistically significant improvements in both primary outcomes, with higher FMA-UE scores [WMD: 3.90; 95% CI: 2.37-5.52; p=0.00001] and BI scores [WMD: 3.21; 95% CI: 0.43-5.99; p=0.02] compared to conventional therapy. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings, with minimal heterogeneity following adjustments. The observed benefits likely stem from IVR's ability to promote neuroplasticity and motor relearning through structured, repetitive task practice.

IVR therapy shows substantial potential to enhance traditional stroke rehabilitation by improving motor recovery and functional independence. These findings support the integration of IVR into clinical practice as an effective modality for upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients. However, further research with extended follow-up and larger sample sizes is necessary to validate its long-term efficacy and address current methodological limitations.

Comments

2025 Research Day Corewell Health West, Grand Rapids, MI, May 9, 2025. Abstract 1687

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