Abstract:
Background: This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the efficacy of
Virtual Reality (VR) games compared to Conventional Physical Therapy on Hand motor
functions, activities of daily living, and quality of life in subacute stroke patients.
Method: Forty stroke patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to
either the experimental group receiving VR games or the control group undergoing
traditional physical therapy interventions. Outcome measures included the Fugl-Meyer
Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) to assess motor function, the Action
Research Arm Test (ARAT)to evaluate functional performance, the Box and Block Test
(BBT) to assess hand dexterity, the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) to measure ADL
performance, and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life (SSQOL) to measure quality of life
after stroke.
Results: No differences were observed in patients' demographic and clinical data at
baseline between both groups. Statistical analysis revealed significant improvements in
all outcome measures for both groups post-intervention. However, the experimental
group exhibited notably greater improvements in hand motor function, functional ability,
hand dexterity, activities of daily living (ADLs), and quality of life compared to the
control group (p<0.05). Specifically, in the follow-up week, the VR games group
continued to demonstrate sustained improvements, surpassing the improvements
observed in the physical therapy group.
Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential of VR-based interventions as a
promising adjunct to traditional therapy in enhancing hand motor function and overall
quality of life in patients with motor impairments.
