review · Annals of Medicine
Virtual reality-based rehabilitation uses immersive digital environments to support stroke survivors during their recovery. Traditional rehabilitation approaches often struggle to maintain patient interest, whereas virtual reality interventions foster a sense of presence that boosts engagement and motivation. This heightened involvement can improve treatment adherence and functional recovery outcomes. Furthermore, virtual environments replicate real-life scenarios, giving individuals the opportunity to practice vital daily activities that build functional independence. Despite these clear advantages over conventional therapies, several barriers currently impede widespread adoption. Practical challenges include the cost of technology, equipment requirements, patient suitability, user acceptance, and data privacy concerns. Addressing these hurdles will be essential to successfully integrate immersive rehabilitation systems into routine stroke care practice.
Stroke recovery often demands prolonged and repetitive therapy, which can lead to low adherence when using conventional methods. By creating interactive, realistic environments, virtual reality tools can keep patients motivated and provide safe spaces to rehearse everyday tasks. Overcoming implementation barriers could help healthcare providers offer more effective, engaging recovery pathways that support independent living.
The evidence points to software and hardware solutions tailored for clinical rehabilitation centres and stroke care providers. Because this review identifies systemic challenges such as equipment costs, patient suitability, and data privacy, the technology appears to be applied and tested in research settings rather than ready for routine clinical deployment. Successful commercialisation will depend on developing affordable, user-friendly equipment that complies with data privacy regulations.
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BACKGROUND: Stroke rehabilitation presents a complex challenge, necessitating innovative approaches to optimise functional recovery. Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation (VRBR) has emerged as a promising intervention that capitalises on immersive technology to engage stroke survivors in their recovery journey. This review aims to examine the efficacy of VRBR in stroke rehabilitation, focusing on its advantages and challenges. METHODS: A comprehensive search of relevant literature was conducted to gather evidence on the efficacy of VRBR in stroke survivors. Studies that investigated the impact of VRBR on patient engagement, functional recovery, and overall rehabilitation outcomes were included. The review also assessed the ability of VRBR to simulate real-life scenarios and facilitate essential daily activities for stroke survivors. RESULTS: The review highlights that VRBR offers a unique immersive experience that enhances patient engagement and motivation during rehabilitation. The immersive nature of VRBR fosters a sense of presence, which can positively impact treatment adherence and outcomes. Moreover, VRBR's capacity to replicate real-world scenarios provides stroke survivors with opportunities to practice vital daily activities, promoting functional independence. In contrast, conventional rehabilitation methods lack the same level of engagement and real-world simulation. CONCLUSION: VRBR holds promise as an efficacious intervention in stroke rehabilitation. Its immersive nature enhances patient engagement and motivation, potentially leading to better treatment adherence and outcomes. The ability of VRBR to simulate real-life scenarios offers a unique platform. However, challenges such as cost, equipment, patient suitability, data privacy, and acceptance must be addressed for successful integration into stroke rehabilitation practice.
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DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2285907
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