Virtual reality in rehabilitation of patients after stroke

Š. Baníková1,2, A. Najsrová1,2, I. Fiedorová1,2, J. Trdá3, O. Volný1,2

1 Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ostrava, Czech Republic

2 Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

3 VR LIFE Ltd., Ostrava, Czech Republic

Abstract

Stroke is one of the most common causes of acquired disability. It represents a major socio-economic problem that can have a serious impact on different areas of life. Early and sufficiently intensive rehabilitation after stroke contributes significantly to optimal functional outcomes and improves the quality of life of the patients. New neurorehabilitation approaches based on technology and virtual reality (VR) make it possible to design individualized intensive rehabilitation training and improve motor learning through multimodal feedback. Rehabilitation in virtual reality is a highly motivating therapy with many benefits for the patient. It also increases patient compliance to therapy. It is a safe form of therapy and after proper education of the patient, the physical presence of a physiotherapist is not necessarily required. This makes the use of VR in home exercise and telerehabilitation possible. The aim of this review article is to provide up-to-date knowledge and brief information on VR-based neurorehabilitation after stroke, with emphasis on the medical device regulation (MDR)-certified VR interface, which was developed in collaboration between the University Hospital Ostrava and VR Life. We found that conventional rehabilitation combined with VR seems to be more effective than conventional physiotherapy and occupational therapy alone in the rehabilitation of patients after stroke.

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