Article

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical feasibility of a system based on augmented
reality for upper-limb (UL) motor rehabilitation of stroke participants. METHOD:
A physiotherapist instructed the participants to accomplish tasks in augmented
reality environment, where they could see themselves and their surroundings, as
in a mirror. Two case studies were conducted. Participants were evaluated pre-
and post-intervention.
The first study evaluated the UL motor function using
Fugl-Meyer scale. Data were compared using non-parametric sign tests and effect
size. The second study used the gain of motion range of shoulder flexion and
abduction assessed by computerized biophotogrammetry. RESULTS: At a significance
level of 5%, Fugl-Meyer scores suggested a trend for greater UL motor improvement
in the augmented reality group than in the other. Moreover, effect size value
0.86 suggested high practical significance for UL motor rehabilitation using the
augmented reality system. CONCLUSION: System provided promising results for UL
motor rehabilitation, since enhancements have been observed in the shoulder range
of motion and speed. Implications for Rehabilitation Gain of range of motion of
flexion and abduction of the shoulder of post-stroke patients can be achieved
through an augmented reality system containing exercises to promote the mental
practice. NeuroR system provides a mental practice method combined with visual
feedback for motor rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients, giving the illusion
of injured upper-limb (UL) movements while the affected UL is resting. Its
application is feasible and safe. This system can be used to improve UL
rehabilitation, an additional treatment past the traditional period of the stroke
patient hospitalization and rehabilitation.

Langue : ANGLAIS