Effects of Kinect-based virtual reality game training on upper extremity motor recovery in chronic stroke

Therapeutic benefits of Kinect-based virtual reality (VR) game training in rehabilitation encourage its use to improve motor function.

To assess the effects of Kinect-based VR training on motor recovery of the upper extremity and functional outcomes in patients with chronic stroke.

In this randomized controlled trial, group A received 20 sessions of physical therapy (PT) + 20 sessions of Kinect-based VR training and group B received only 20 sessions of PT. Clinical outcome measures were assessed at baseline and at the end of the treatments. Primary outcome measures that assess stroke patients' motor function included upper extremity (UE) Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). Secondary outcome measures were Brunnstrom Recovery Stages (BRS), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Box and Block test (BBT), Motricity index (MI), and active range of motion (AROM) measurement.

Statistically significant improvements in game scores (p < 0.05) were observed in group A. In within-group analysis, there were statistically significant improvements in all clinical outcome measures except for the BRS-hand, MAS-distal, and MAS-hand in group A; MAS-(proximal, distal, hand) and BRS-(UE, hand) in group B compared with baseline values. Differences from baseline of FMA, MI, and AROM (except adduction of shoulder and extension of elbow) were greater in group A (p < 0.05).

To conclude, our results suggest that the adjunct use of Kinect-based VR training may contribute to the improvement of UE motor function and AROM in chronic stroke patients. Further studies with a larger number of subjects with longer follow-up periods are needed to establish its effectiveness in neurorehabilitation.