Virtual Reality Augments Movement During Physical Therapy: A Pragmatic Randomized Trial
Sydney Hemphill1, Samuel Rodriguez, Ellen Wang
1From the Division of Pediatric Anesthesia; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California (SH, SR, EW, CJ, LS, TJC); and ATI Physical Therapy, Palo Alto, California (KK, BA-Y).
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) significantly increases physical therapy movement in adults and children. Patients and therapists found VR-enhanced physical therapy to be effective and preferred.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Movement Science
Background:
- Virtual reality (VR) is recognized for enhancing engagement in physical therapy, particularly for specific populations like stroke patients.
- Its efficacy in otherwise healthy adults and children undergoing outpatient physical therapy is less established.
- This study investigates VR's impact on movement quantity and quality in a broader outpatient setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the total guided movement during physical therapy supplemented with VR versus traditional physical therapy alone.
- To assess the impact of VR on limb movement, perceived exertion, and patient/therapist satisfaction in an outpatient physical therapy context.
Main Methods:
- A pragmatic, randomized crossover study design was employed with 41 outpatients (ages 6-80).
- Participants served as their own controls, receiving 10 minutes of VR-supplemented physical therapy and 10 minutes of standard physical therapy.
- Primary outcome was aggregate movement; secondary outcomes included perceived exertion and satisfaction surveys.
Main Results:
- Participants exhibited significantly greater aggregate movement with VR-supplemented physical therapy (1120.88 m) compared to standard therapy (672.65 m) (P < 0.001).
- VR intervention led to increased movement in the lower and upper limbs.
- No significant difference in perceived exertion was noted, but patient and therapist satisfaction favored VR-supplemented therapy.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality integration in physical therapy leads to a substantial increase in guided movement for a diverse outpatient population.
- Both patients and physical therapists reported positive experiences and support for VR-enhanced therapy.
- Further research is warranted to explore detailed movement tracking with VR interventions.
