A virtual reality tool for measuring and shaping trunk compensation for persons with stroke: Design and initial...

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Movement Science

Background:

• Compensatory trunk flexion during reaching tasks can impede motor recovery in stroke patients.
• Shaping, a strategy to gradually reduce compensatory movements, may be enhanced by virtual reality (VR) interventions.
• VR offers a potential platform for delivering precise feedback to modify compensatory strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of a VR system designed to shape trunk compensation during upper extremity (UE) rehabilitation.
• To evaluate the system's ability to increase repetition rates and measure movement kinematics.
• To gauge user experience, including usability, motivation, and sense of presence.

Main Methods:

• A VR tool utilizing a Microsoft Kinect V2 sensor was developed to monitor UE kinematics.
• The system translated movements into computer game control and provided real-time feedback to shape trunk compensation.
• Feasibility was tested in a small cohort (n=5) of chronic stroke participants during a 1-hour session.

Main Results:

• Participants achieved a high volume of reaching repetitions (461 ± 184) within the session.
• An average of 81% of repetitions were successful, with 19% involving compensatory trunk flexion.
• The system was rated highly for usability, motivation, engagement, and safety by participants.

Conclusions:

• The VR system, VRShape, is feasible for increasing repetition dosage, measuring and shaping compensatory movements, and boosting motivation in UE therapy.
• The technology facilitates a high dose of practice while providing feedback to reduce unwanted trunk movements.
• Further research is warranted for software refinement and to investigate the efficacy of this VR approach in stroke rehabilitation.