Virtual reality and haptics as a training device for movement rehabilitation after stroke: a single-case study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether training in a virtual environment with a haptic device will improve motor function in the left hemiparetic arm of a stroke subject.

Design: Single case, A-B-A design.

Setting: University hospital research laboratory.

Participant: A man in his late fifties (right handed), with a right-hemisphere lesion that caused a deficit in the left upper extremity.

Intervention: The subject trained with a 3-dimensional computer game during a 4-week period that consisted of twelve 90-minute sessions.

Main outcome measures: Three tests (Purdue pegboard test, dynamometer hand-grip strength, upper-extremity test) and a subjective interview were used to evaluate motor performance.

Results: Improvements were found in fine manual dexterity, grip force, and motor control of the affected upper extremity. The subject reported that there was a change in his day-to-day use of the upper extremity and that he was able to use it in activities that were previously impossible for him.

Conclusions: Training with virtual reality and haptics can promote motor rehabilitation.