Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
Published on: October 11, 2024
Immersive Virtual Reality Mirror Therapy for Upper Limb Recovery After Stroke: A Pilot Study
Lynne M Weber1, Dawn M Nilsen, Glen Gillen
1From the Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York (LMW); Programs in Occupational Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York (DMN, GG); Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York (JY); Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York (JS); and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York (JS).
Objective:
This study was designed to examine the feasibility of immersive virtual reality mirror therapy for upper limb paresis after stroke using a head-mounted display and provide preliminary evidence of efficacy.
Design:
Ten outpatients with chronic stroke, upper limb hemiparesis, and a low predisposition for motion sickness completed a 12-session program of 30 mins each of immersive virtual reality mirror therapy. The virtual reality system provided the illusion of movement in the hemiparetic upper limb while suppressing the visual representation of the nonparetic side. Feasibility was assessed via patient compliance, adverse event tracking, the System Usability Scale, and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Preliminary efficacy was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity and Action Research Arm Test.
Results:
Immersive virtual reality mirror therapy for patients with chronic stroke was safe, well-tolerated, and without adverse events, such as simulator sickness. Motor outcomes revealed a small improvement for the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity from 21.7 (SD = 8.68) to 22.8 (SD = 9.19) that did not achieve statistical significance (P = 0.084).
Conclusions:
Four weeks of immersive virtual reality mirror therapy was well-tolerated by chronic stroke patients. Our findings support further clinical trials of immersive virtual reality technologies and visually enhanced mirror therapies for stroke survivors.
More Related Videos
05:52Mobile Game-based Virtual Reality Program for Upper Extremity Stroke Rehabilitation
Published on: March 8, 2018
04:49Author Spotlight: Enhancing Post-Stroke Upper Limb Rehabilitation with Robotic Technologies for Improved Motor Recovery and Functional Outcomes
Published on: September 6, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Veins of Upper Limbs
The deep venous system is primarily composed of the ulnar and radial veins. The ulnar vein, which drains the fingers through the superficial palmar venous arches, and the radial vein, which serves the palms via the deep palmar...
Arteries of the Upper Limbs
Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna
Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus
Pilot and Numeric Relaying