Leveraging Social Interaction: Stroke Rehabilitation Using Extended Reality

Stroke survivors are often left with physical and cognitive limitations. Effective rehabilitation is essential to promote functional recovery and improve quality of life. However, existing approaches are limited by their repetitive/monotonous nature, which can lead to decreased motivation, emotional disengagement, and depression, as well as a lack of personalization and little to no social interaction. A five-month longitudinal study conducted at a rehabilitation center, employing a virtual reality supermarket, led to the creation of a research line focused on social interaction. Building on this, a broader extended reality rehabilitation framework was introduced, aimed at fostering motivation through multiuser experiences. We report initial results on healthcare professionals' and stroke survivors' acceptance, and explore the impact of collaborative versus competitive dynamics. Finally, we discuss the promising role of augmented reality for daily living environments.