Virtual reality-based treatment for regaining upper extremity function induces cortex grey matter changes in persons...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Acquired brain injuries (ABI) necessitate effective neurorehabilitation strategies.
• Virtual anatomical interactivity (VAI) offers a game-like digital environment for ABI survivors with upper limb paresis.
• VAI utilizes unaffected limbs to control virtual limb movements and tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of VAI therapy in improving motor function and skills in individuals with ABI.
• To investigate the neuroplastic changes associated with VAI therapy using neuroimaging.
• To correlate motor skill improvements with structural brain changes.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study involving 35 ABI survivors (stroke and traumatic brain injury).
• Three groups: VAI therapy only, VAI plus physical/occupational therapy (P/OT), and P/OT only.
• Motor skills assessed via muscle strength and active range of motion (AROM); neuroimaging (MRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) used for brain analysis.

Main Results:

• All groups showed improvements in shoulder, elbow, and wrist AROM.
• VBM revealed increased grey matter in the hippocampus, caudate, cingulate zone, central sulcus depth, and visual cortex.
• Positive correlations found between grey matter volumes in motor/premotor areas and motor function outcomes.

Conclusions:

• VAI rehabilitation significantly enhances motor function and skills in the upper extremities of ABI survivors.
• Neuroimaging demonstrates increased grey matter in motor and premotor regions, suggesting structural brain plasticity.
• The study highlights VAI as a promising neurorehabilitation tool for ABI recovery.