A novel glasses-free virtual reality rehabilitation system on improving upper limb motor function among patients with stroke: a feasibility pilot study

Abstract Background Virtual reality (VR) technology is increasingly used in stroke rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of using the glasses-free VR training to improve motor function of upper limb in patients with stroke. Methods Twelve patients with stroke were recruited to participate in the intervention of 3 weeks. At the baseline and post intervention, two times of evaluation including Fugl-Meyer upper-extremity scale (FMS-UE), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measurement and motion evaluation were performed. Results No significant difference was observed between two groups at baseline evaluation. After the intervention, the FMS-UE scores presented a greater improvement in the VR group compared with the control group. TMS measurement showed that there was significant difference in cortex latency and central motor conduction time between two groups after the intervention, but no significant difference in the amplitude of motor event potential was observed. In addition, there was a significant correlation between game scores and FMS-UE scores. Conclusions The novel glasses-free VR training was at least as effective as conventional occupational therapy in upper limb motor function, improving nerve conduction time and corticospinal excitability in patient with stroke.