A virtual rehabilitation tool for cognitive rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE

The aim of the current study was to test a virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation tool for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and determine if the system could be integrated into usual clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A mixed cohort study with 10 people with TBI, 4 Family/Whānau members and 13 clinicians from a single community centre specialising in TBI rehabilitation. TBI participants received two sessions of VR per week for six weeks integrated into usual rehabilitation. Fatigue measures, and system recorded therapist scores were collected from conversation, memory, and attention tasks embedded into each level of the VR. Participants also took part in interviews or focus groups.

RESULTS

The tool was successfully integrated into usual clinical care. TBI participants showed a trend of reduced fatigue and increased awareness of fatigue. The overarching theme identified from the qualitative data was 'Learn Reflect and Apply in Real Life'.

CONCLUSIONS

The VR tool can be integrated into clinical practice to provide a practical setting where clients with TBI can develop insight and awareness into the impact of their brain injury on their function, learn adaptive strategies and practice them repeatedly in a simulated, safe, realistic, and supported environment.