Effects of Video Game Based Hand Therapy on Motor Functions in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Randomized Trial

Technological approaches such as virtual reality therapy, video - based game therapy, telerehabilitation, and robotic rehabilitation have been increasing in stroke rehabilitation nowadays.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of video game-based hand rehabilitation program on motor functions and functional skills of the hand in individuals with stroke.

30 individuals with stroke were participated in study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups as video game-based hand rehabilitation (VG) and task-oriented exercise group (TOG). A video game-based rehabilitation program was administered via the Leap Motion Controller (LMC) in addition to the conventional physical therapy performed in the VG group. In the TOG group, a task-oriented hand rehabilitation program was applied combining with the conventional physical therapy. In both groups, therapy programs were completed in a total of 20 sessions, 5 sessions per week. Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Motor Rating Scale (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test (MMDT) were used to evaluate hand functionality. Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) was used to evaluate activities of daily living.

Significant improvements were observed for FMA-UE (p = 0.01; p = 0.01), WMFT (p = 0.01; p = 0.01), MMDT (p = 0.01; p = 0.04) and DEI (p = 0.01; p = 0.01) score in both groups for intragroup analysis. FMA-UE (p = 0.01) and WMFT (p = 0.01) total scores and DHI kitchen sub-scores (p = 0.01) showed significant improvement in favors of VG in intergroup analysis.

A video game-based hand therapy program combining with conventional therapy is effective for targeting functional skills in individuals with stroke.