Comparison of the immediate effect of the training with a virtual reality game in stroke patients according side brain injury

Abstract

Background:

Stroke is a major cause of motor disability in adults and needs interventions that contribute to motor recovery.

Objective:

This study aimed to compare the immediate effect of the training with virtual reality game in stroke patients according side brain injury.

Methods:

The participants included 20 patients (10 right brain injury), mean age of 50.6 ± 9.2 years, and 20 healthy subjects of 50.9 ± 8.8 years. All participants made a kinematic evaluation of drinking a cup of water before and after training with the table tennis game of the XBOX 360 Kinect^®, in two series of 10 tries of 45 s, with 15 minutes rest between them, a total of 30 minutes. Data were analyzed by ANOVA.

Results:

There was a significant difference in the number of hits between patients and healthy subjects groups, in which patients had a lower performance in all the trials (p = 0.008). After the training, only patients with right brain injury improved their shoulder and elbow angles, approaching the left upper limb movement pattern of healthy subjects (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Patients with right brain injury responded better to the virtual reality game, suggesting introduction of new treatment techniques that promote neurorehabilitation.