A.V. Zakharov, E.V. Khivintseva, V.F. Pytin, A.V. Kolsanov, V.A. Kalinin and et al

Abstract

Objective: To study the efficiency of usage of immersive virtual reality with proprioceptive ‎sensory effects for the rehabilitation of the static locomotor function of patients in the acute ‎period of ischemic stroke. Material and methods: The study involved 33 patients in the acute ‎period of ischemic stroke in the carotid system. The patients were randomized into two groups, the ‎study group additionally received classes under immersive virtual reality with a sensory impact. ‎The course consisted of 10 classes of 15 minutes each. Results. According to the Berg balance ‎scale, on the 6th day of classes (p = 0.03), an improvement in the static-locomotor function was ‎detected in the study group. On the last day of the rehabilitation course, the patients from the ‎group subjected to the course demonstrated an improvement in the static locomotor function by 23 ‎points (95% CI 13-27 points) in the study population and by 7 points (95% CI 2-13 points) on the ‎Berg balance scale, as compared with the control group. Conclusion. Our preliminary results ‎demonstrate a positive effect of the usage of immersive virtual reality tools in the rehabilitation of ‎static-locomotor function. Also, this research demonstrates the safety of this method for patients ‎in the acute period of ischemic stroke. Further increase in the efficiency of usage of immersive ‎virtual reality is possible due to multi-touch feedback or neurocomputer interface technology‎.