Article

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and users'
perspectives of a novel virtual reality (VR) game-based rehabilitation
intervention for people with stroke. METHOD. Six people with upper limb
hemiplegia participated in a 6-week intervention that involved VR games. A series
of eight progressively complex games was developed that required participants to
navigate a submarine in a virtual ocean environment. Movement of the submarine
was directed by forces applied to an arm interface by the affected limb. Outcome
measures included assessments of arm function, questionnaires evaluating the
intervention and a semi-structured interview concerning the participants' opinion
of the intervention. RESULTS. All participants improved their performance on the
games, although there were limited changes in clinical measures of arm function.
All participants reported that they enjoyed the intervention with a wide range of
overall perceptions of the experience of using VR. Three themes emerging from the
interview data were: stretching myself, purpose and expectations of the
intervention and future improvements. CONCLUSIONS. Participants found that taking
part in this pilot study was enjoyable and challenging. Participants' feedback
suggested that the games may be motivating and engaging for future users and have
provided a basis for further development of the intervention.

Langue : ANGLAIS