Virtual Reality Training for Upper Extremity After Stroke

Summary

Background: High intensity training of challenging tasks with many repetitions is a key factor for regaining motor function after stroke. Novel virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation systems provide the potential to increase intensity and offer challenging and motivating tasks. The efficacy of VR systems has not been demonstrated yet in sufficiently powered studies.

Methods: In 5 participating rehabilitation centers patients in the subacute phase after stroke will be randomized to either a group receiving 4 weeks of VR training in addition to conventional arm training or a group receiving dose-matched and therapist attention-matched conventional arm-training.

Hypothesis: VR training is more effective in improving arm motor function than conventional arm training in the subacute phase after stroke.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

DEVICE

Virtual Reality

During a 4 weeks period the patients will be offered 4-5 Virtual reality training sessions weekly of 45-60 minutes duration in addition to other rehabilitation. The Virtual reality training will be supervised by a physical or an occupational therapist. Virtual reality gaming parameters are adapted according to improving arm motor function.

BEHAVIORAL

Conventional arm training

During a 4 weeks period the patients will be offered 4-5 supervised self-training sessions weekly of 45-60 minutes duration in addition to other rehabilitation. The training will be task-related and supervised by a physical or an occupational therapist. Exercises increase in difficulty according to improving arm motor function.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Haukeland University Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Regionshospitalet Hammel Neurocenter

  collaborator OTHER

• Regionshospitalet Viborg, Skive

  collaborator OTHER

• KU Leuven

  collaborator OTHER

• Jessa Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• The Research Council of Norway

  collaborator OTHER

• Helse Vest

  collaborator OTHER

• Norwegian Fund for Postgraduate Training in Physiotherapy

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Bergen

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jan Sture Skouen, MD, PhD · University of Bergen, Helse Vest

• Iris Brunner, PhD · University of Bergen, Helse Vest

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-03-31

Primary Completion

2016-08-31

Completion

2016-08-31

Countries

• Belgium
• Denmark
• Norway

Study Locations