Skip to main content
Top
Published in: European Review of Aging and Physical Activity 1/2022

01-12-2022 | Stroke | Review article

The effects of virtual reality training in stroke and Parkinson’s disease rehabilitation: a systematic review and a perspective on usability

Authors: Ksenija Sevcenko, Ingrid Lindgren

Published in: European Review of Aging and Physical Activity | Issue 1/2022

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Virtual Reality (VR) training is emerging in the neurorehabilitation field. Technological advancement is often faster than clinical implementation. Previous reviews stressed the study design and methodological weaknesses of research in the field of VR for neurorehabilitation. Clinically relevant conclusions on implementation in particular patient groups are needed.
The aim was to update the existing knowledge with the recent evidence on the effects of VR training on functional ability of patients with stroke and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Secondary objective was to analyze the aspects of usability of VR intervention in these populations.

Methods

Systematic literature search (via PubMed, CENTRAL) was conducted from inception to February 29, 2020 to identify suitable articles for two population subcategories. Randomized controlled trials published from 2016 to 2020, investigating the effectiveness of VR on a variety of outcomes contributing to the functional independence were included. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist was used for a methodological quality assessment of the primary studies. Given the heterogeneity in types of VR intervention and outcomes, a descriptive synthesis was conducted.

Results

A total of 18 randomized controlled trials were included (10 in stroke subcategory, 8 in PD). CASP grading ranged 9–11, suggesting high methodological quality. All studies concluded that overall VR might be as effective as the conventional training, but more motivating. In some studies, VR was found to have a greater effect, taking the high response to treatment and satisfaction into account.

Conclusions

VR training is suggested as an effective intervention to improve the functional ability in stroke and PD patients. Addition of VR into a rehabilitation program might facilitate patient’s motivation, participation and improvement, as this method was generally well accepted, and the results of trials were promising. The consideration of disorder-specific aspects should take place during the decision-making of VR implementation.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Organization WH. Neurological disorders: public health challenges: World Health Organization; 2006. Organization WH. Neurological disorders: public health challenges: World Health Organization; 2006.
2.
go back to reference United Nations. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Ageing 2017 - Highlights (ST/ESA/SER.A/397); 2017. United Nations. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Ageing 2017 - Highlights (ST/ESA/SER.A/397); 2017.
3.
go back to reference De Keersmaecker E, Lefeber N, Geys M, Jespers E, Kerckhofs E, Swinnen E. Virtual reality during gait training: does it improve gait function in persons with central nervous system movement disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis. NeuroRehabilitation. 2019;44(1):43–66. https://doi.org/10.3233/NRE-182551.CrossRefPubMed De Keersmaecker E, Lefeber N, Geys M, Jespers E, Kerckhofs E, Swinnen E. Virtual reality during gait training: does it improve gait function in persons with central nervous system movement disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis. NeuroRehabilitation. 2019;44(1):43–66. https://​doi.​org/​10.​3233/​NRE-182551.CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Dockx K, Bekkers EM, Van den Bergh V, Ginis P, Rochester L, Hausdorff JM, et al. Virtual reality for rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;12(12):CD010760–CD.PubMed Dockx K, Bekkers EM, Van den Bergh V, Ginis P, Rochester L, Hausdorff JM, et al. Virtual reality for rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;12(12):CD010760–CD.PubMed
5.
go back to reference Lohse KR, Hilderman CGE, Cheung KL, Tatla S, Van der Loos HFM. Virtual reality therapy for adults post-stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring virtual environments and commercial games in therapy. PLoS One. 2014;9(3):e93318–e.CrossRef Lohse KR, Hilderman CGE, Cheung KL, Tatla S, Van der Loos HFM. Virtual reality therapy for adults post-stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring virtual environments and commercial games in therapy. PLoS One. 2014;9(3):e93318–e.CrossRef
13.
go back to reference Laver KE, Lange B, George S, Deutsch JE, Saposnik G, Crotty M. Virtual reality for stroke rehabilitation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;11(11):CD008349–CD.PubMed Laver KE, Lange B, George S, Deutsch JE, Saposnik G, Crotty M. Virtual reality for stroke rehabilitation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;11(11):CD008349–CD.PubMed
15.
go back to reference Narasimha S, Madathil KC, Agnisarman S, Rogers H, Welch B, Ashok A, et al. Designing telemedicine Systems for Geriatric Patients: a review of the usability studies. Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association. 2017;23(6):459–72. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2016.0178.CrossRef Narasimha S, Madathil KC, Agnisarman S, Rogers H, Welch B, Ashok A, et al. Designing telemedicine Systems for Geriatric Patients: a review of the usability studies. Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association. 2017;23(6):459–72. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1089/​tmj.​2016.​0178.CrossRef
23.
go back to reference Feng H, Li C, Liu J, Wang L, Ma J, Li G, et al. Virtual reality rehabilitation versus conventional physical therapy for improving balance and gait in Parkinson’s disease patients: a randomized controlled trial. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research. 2019;25:4186–92. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.916455.CrossRef Feng H, Li C, Liu J, Wang L, Ma J, Li G, et al. Virtual reality rehabilitation versus conventional physical therapy for improving balance and gait in Parkinson’s disease patients: a randomized controlled trial. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research. 2019;25:4186–92. https://​doi.​org/​10.​12659/​MSM.​916455.CrossRef
26.
27.
go back to reference Ribas CG, Alves da Silva L, Correa MR, Teive HG, Valderramas S. Effectiveness of exergaming in improving functional balance, fatigue and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2017;38:13–8.CrossRef Ribas CG, Alves da Silva L, Correa MR, Teive HG, Valderramas S. Effectiveness of exergaming in improving functional balance, fatigue and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2017;38:13–8.CrossRef
29.
go back to reference Adomaviciene A, Daunoraviciene K, Kubilius R, Varzaityte L, Raistenskis J. Influence of New Technologies on Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Comparison of Armeo Spring to the Kinect System. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(4). Adomaviciene A, Daunoraviciene K, Kubilius R, Varzaityte L, Raistenskis J. Influence of New Technologies on Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Comparison of Armeo Spring to the Kinect System. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(4).
31.
go back to reference Lee MM, Lee KJ, Song CH. Game-based virtual reality canoe paddling training to improve postural balance and upper extremity function: a preliminary randomized controlled study of 30 patients with subacute stroke. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research. 2018;24:2590–8. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.906451.CrossRef Lee MM, Lee KJ, Song CH. Game-based virtual reality canoe paddling training to improve postural balance and upper extremity function: a preliminary randomized controlled study of 30 patients with subacute stroke. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research. 2018;24:2590–8. https://​doi.​org/​10.​12659/​MSM.​906451.CrossRef
32.
go back to reference Kiper P, Szczudlik A, Agostini M, Opara J, Nowobilski R, Ventura L, et al. Virtual Reality for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Subacute and Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2018;99(5):834–42.e4.CrossRef Kiper P, Szczudlik A, Agostini M, Opara J, Nowobilski R, Ventura L, et al. Virtual Reality for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Subacute and Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2018;99(5):834–42.e4.CrossRef
34.
go back to reference Schuster-Amft C, Eng K, Suica Z, Thaler I, Signer S, Lehmann I, et al. Effect of a four-week virtual reality-based training versus conventional therapy on upper limb motor function after stroke: A multicenter parallel group randomized trial. PLoS One. 2018;13(10):e0204455–e.CrossRef Schuster-Amft C, Eng K, Suica Z, Thaler I, Signer S, Lehmann I, et al. Effect of a four-week virtual reality-based training versus conventional therapy on upper limb motor function after stroke: A multicenter parallel group randomized trial. PLoS One. 2018;13(10):e0204455–e.CrossRef
40.
41.
go back to reference Moran AL, Ramirez-Fernandez C, Meza-Kubo V, Orihuela-Espina F, Garcia-Canseco E, Grimaldo AI, et al. On the effect of previous technological experience on the usability of a virtual rehabilitation tool for the physical activation and cognitive stimulation of elders. J Med Syst. 2015;39(9):104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-015-0297-0.CrossRefPubMed Moran AL, Ramirez-Fernandez C, Meza-Kubo V, Orihuela-Espina F, Garcia-Canseco E, Grimaldo AI, et al. On the effect of previous technological experience on the usability of a virtual rehabilitation tool for the physical activation and cognitive stimulation of elders. J Med Syst. 2015;39(9):104. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1007/​s10916-015-0297-0.CrossRefPubMed
46.
go back to reference Seligman MEP. Flourish: a visionary new a understanding of happiness and well-being. Policy. 2011;27(3):60–1. Seligman MEP. Flourish: a visionary new a understanding of happiness and well-being. Policy. 2011;27(3):60–1.
48.
go back to reference Zhao Y, Bennett CL, Benko H, Cutrell E, Holz C, Morris MR, et al. CHI conference on human factors in computing systems. Montreal QC, Canada: Association for Computing Machinery. 2018:116. Zhao Y, Bennett CL, Benko H, Cutrell E, Holz C, Morris MR, et al. CHI conference on human factors in computing systems. Montreal QC, Canada: Association for Computing Machinery. 2018:116.
53.
go back to reference Shulver W, Killington M, Morris C, Crotty M. ‘Well, if the kids can do it, I can do it’: older rehabilitation patients’ experiences of telerehabilitation. In: ‘Well, if the kids can do it, I can do it’: older rehabilitation patients’ experiences of telerehabilitation: John Wiley and Sons Inc.; 2016. Shulver W, Killington M, Morris C, Crotty M. ‘Well, if the kids can do it, I can do it’: older rehabilitation patients’ experiences of telerehabilitation. In: ‘Well, if the kids can do it, I can do it’: older rehabilitation patients’ experiences of telerehabilitation: John Wiley and Sons Inc.; 2016.
54.
go back to reference Galloway M, Marsden DL, Callister R, Nilsson M, Erickson KI, English C. The Feasibility of a Telehealth Exercise Program Aimed at Increasing Cardiorespiratory Fitness for People After Stroke. 2019;11(2):20. Galloway M, Marsden DL, Callister R, Nilsson M, Erickson KI, English C. The Feasibility of a Telehealth Exercise Program Aimed at Increasing Cardiorespiratory Fitness for People After Stroke. 2019;11(2):20.
56.
go back to reference Vichitvanichphong S, Talaei-Khoei A, Kerr D, Ghapanchi AH. Adoption of Assistive Technologies for Aged Care: A Realist Review of Recent Studies. In: 2014 47th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences; 2014. Vichitvanichphong S, Talaei-Khoei A, Kerr D, Ghapanchi AH. Adoption of Assistive Technologies for Aged Care: A Realist Review of Recent Studies. In: 2014 47th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences; 2014.
59.
go back to reference van Houwelingen CT, Ettema RG, Antonietti MG, Kort HS. Understanding Older People’s Readiness for Receiving Telehealth: Mixed-Method Study. J Med Internet Res. 2018;20(4):e123–e.CrossRef van Houwelingen CT, Ettema RG, Antonietti MG, Kort HS. Understanding Older People’s Readiness for Receiving Telehealth: Mixed-Method Study. J Med Internet Res. 2018;20(4):e123–e.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
The effects of virtual reality training in stroke and Parkinson’s disease rehabilitation: a systematic review and a perspective on usability
Authors
Ksenija Sevcenko
Ingrid Lindgren
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
European Review of Aging and Physical Activity / Issue 1/2022
Print ISSN: 1813-7253
Electronic ISSN: 1861-6909
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-022-00283-3

Other articles of this Issue 1/2022

European Review of Aging and Physical Activity 1/2022 Go to the issue
Live Webinar | 27-06-2024 | 18:00 (CEST)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Live: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.

Prof. Kevin Dolgin
Prof. Florian Limbourg
Prof. Anoop Chauhan
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

Year in Review: Pediatric cardiology

Watch Dr. Anne Marie Valente present the last year's highlights in pediatric and congenital heart disease in the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Pulmonary vascular disease

The last year's highlights in pulmonary vascular disease are presented by Dr. Jane Leopold in this official video from ACC.24.

Year in Review: Valvular heart disease

Watch Prof. William Zoghbi present the last year's highlights in valvular heart disease from the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.