Virtual Reality Therapy for Upper Extremity Functions Following Stroke. A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background. After a stroke attack, the majority of the individuals suffer from the upper extremity functional impairments. Recently, virtual reality has indicated promising positive functional outcomes in stroke patients. To identify the efficacy of virtual reality therapy, there is an essential need to measure its effectiveness on the parameters of evidence-based science.

Design. Systematic review of literature.

The aim. To analyse the effectiveness of the virtual reality therapy on the upper extremity functions after stroke.

Methods. A database of articles published from 2010 to 2018 was compiled by using the keywords: stroke, stroke rehabilitation, virtual reality, virtual reality therapy, upper limb, and upper extremity. After careful screening of the articles, the articles, which met the selection criteria, were included. Fourteen studies involving 416 patients in total were analysed.

Findings. Virtual reality was found to be a remarkable rehabilitation therapy. All methods that were applied in virtual reality therapy on the patients suffering from Ischemic and Haemorrhagic stroke provided significant positive results in the functionality of the upper extremity.

Conclusion. In all cases, virtual reality was found to be a highly effective and useful tool for rehabilitation in stroke patients.

Keywords: stroke, virtual reality, stroke rehabilitation, upper extremity.