Broeren Jurgen, Rydmark Martin, Björkdahl Ann, Sunnerhagen Katharina Stibrant
Rehabilitation Medicine Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2007 Mar-Apr;21(2):180-9. doi: 10.1177/1545968306290774.
This exploratory study assessed the possible effectiveness of hemiparetic upper extremity training in subjects with chronic stroke with computer instrumentation (haptic force feedback) and 3-dimensional visualization applied to computer games, as well as to evaluate concurrent computer-assisted assessment of the kinematics of movements and test whether any improvement detected in the computer environment was reflected in activities of daily living (ADLs).
A single-subject repeated-measures experimental design (AB) was used. After baseline testing, 5 patients were assigned to the therapy 3 times a week for 45 min for 5 weeks. Velocity, time needed to reach, and hand path ratio (reflecting superfluous movements) were the outcome measures, along with the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills and the Box and Block test. The follow-up phase (C) occurred 12 weeks later.
Improvements were noted in velocity, time, and hand path ratio. One patient showed improvement in occupational performance in ADLs.
The application of this strategy of using virtual reality (VR) technologies may be useful in assessing and training stroke patients. The results of this study must be reproduced in further studies. The VR systems can be placed in homes or other nonclinical settings.
本探索性研究评估了计算机仪器（触觉力反馈）以及应用于电脑游戏的三维可视化技术对慢性中风患者偏瘫上肢训练的可能效果，同时评估对运动学的同步计算机辅助评估，并测试在计算机环境中检测到的任何改善是否反映在日常生活活动（ADL）中。
采用单受试者重复测量实验设计（AB）。在基线测试后，5名患者每周接受3次治疗，每次45分钟，共5周。速度、到达所需时间和手部路径比（反映多余动作）是结果指标，同时还有运动和过程技能评估以及箱块测试。随访阶段（C）在12周后进行。
速度、时间和手部路径比均有改善。一名患者的ADL职业表现有所改善。
应用这种虚拟现实（VR）技术策略可能有助于评估和训练中风患者。本研究结果必须在进一步研究中重现。VR系统可放置在家庭或其他非临床环境中。
