Virtual Reality Reflection Therapy Improves Motor Recovery and Motor Function in the Upper Extremities of People with Chronic Stroke

[Purpose] The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Virtual Reality Reflection Therapy on motor recovery and motor function in the upper extremities of patients with chronic stroke. [Subjects] Nineteen participants patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=11) and the control group (n=8). [Methods] The experimental group performed a Virtual Reality Reflection Therapy program for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, during a 4 week period, in addition to conventional therapy. The control group received conventional therapy and performed sham program. All subjects were evaluated using by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (upper limb section), the Modified Ashworth Scale (MA S), the Box and Block Test (BBT), the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test and the Manual Function Test pre- and post-intervention. [Results] The experimental group and the control group effectively increased their upper-extremity motor recovery and motor function. Upper-extremity motor recovery and motor function of the experimental group showed more significant increases than those of the control group. [Conclusion] Virtual Reality Reflection Therapy (even as a home treatment) with a conventional program in the early stages of treatment might be beneficial for improving hand function. Future studies need to investigate the effectiveness of Virtual Reality Reflection Therapy with optimal patient selection or duration and intensity of training.