Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Internation Journal of Health Studies, cilt.9, sa.3, ss.37-42, 2023 (Hakemli Dergi)
Background: This controlled experimental study aimed to investigate
the effect of immersive virtual reality-based movement therapy (IVRMT) on upper extremity functions (UEF), activities of daily living
(ADL), and cognitive functions (CF) in chronic stroke patients.
Methods: Patients who met the inclusion criteria, were randomly
assigned to the study (IVR) or control groups. Both of the groups
received 60 minutes/day of conventional rehabilitation program and
occupational therapy and the IVR group received 30 minutes/day of
additional IVR-MT for six weeks. UEF was evaluated by the Jebsen
Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), and the Box and Block Test
(BBT), ADL was evaluated by the Barthel Index (BI), and 36-Item
Short Form Survey (SF-36), and CF was evaluated with the Mini
Mental Test (MMT).
Results: There were no differences between the IVR (n=15), and
control (n=10) groups for demographic and clinical characteristics or
baseline results of JTHFT, BBT, BI, SF-36, and MMT. At six weeks
post-treatment there were significant improvements in the IVR group in
scores for moving large light cans (Pvalue=0.001) and moving large
heavy cans (Pvalue=0.003) in the JTHFT, in BBT scores
(Pvalue=0.004), in MMT (Pvalue=0.033) and for physical functioning
(Pvalue=0.008) in the SF-36. In addition, the change in score in the
IVR group for moving large light cans (Pvalue=0.008) and moving
large heavy cans (Pvalue=0.002) at week 6 was significantly larger
than in the control group.
Conclusions: These results suggest that additional IVR-MT, in
combination with conventional physiotherapy and occupational
therapy might improve outcomes in UEF and CF in chronic stroke
patients.