The Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation on Hand Motor Function and Activities of Daily Living Performance in Sub-acute Stroke Patients- A Randomized Control Tria

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.