Bimanual training was as effective as modified constraint-induced movement therapy in improving arm motor function. Wearing a mitt seems unnecessary for most patients in the subacute phase post stroke when focused affected arm training is provided.

This study provides Class I evidence that for patients with upper extremity motor impairment after stroke, compared to conventional training, VR training did not lead to significant differences in upper extremity function improvement.

Background In recent years, virtual reality (VR) therapy systems for upper limb training after stroke have been increasingly used in clinical practice. Therapy systems employing VR technology can enhance the intensity of training and can also boost patients' motivation by adding a playful element to therapy. However, reports on user experiences are still scarce. Methods A qualitative investigation of patients' and therapists' perspectives on VR upper limb training. Semistructured face-to-face interviews were conducted with six patients in the final week of the VR intervention. Therapists participated in two focus group interviews after the completion of the intervention. The interviews were analyzed from a phenomenological perspective emphasizing the participants' perceptions and interpretations. Results Five key themes were identified from the patients' perspectives: (i) motivational factors, (ii) engagement, (iii) perceived improvements, (iv) individualization, and (v) device malfunction. The health professionals described the same themes as the patients but less positively, emphasizing negative technical challenges. Conclusion Patients and therapists mainly valued the intensive and motivational character of VR training. The playful nature of the training appeared to have a significant influence on the patients' moods and engagement and seemed to promote a “gung-ho” spirit, so they felt that they could perform more repetitions.

BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) training is thought to improve upper limb (UL) motor function after stroke when utilizing intensive training with many repetitions. The purpose of this study was to compare intensity and content of a VR training intervention to a conventional task-oriented intervention (CT).MethodsA random sample of 50 video recordings was analyzed of patients with a broad range of UL motor impairments (mean age 61y, 22 women). Patients took part in the VIRTUES trial and were randomized to either VR or CT and stratified according to severity of paresis. A standardized scoring form was used to analyze intensity, i.e. active use of the affected UL expressed in % of total time, total active time and total duration of a training session in minutes, content of training and feedback. Two raters collected data independently. Linear regression models as well as descriptive and graphical methods were used.ResultsPatients in the VR group spent significantly more time actively practicing with an activity rate of 77.6 (8.9) % than patients in the CT 67.3 (13.9) %, (p = .003). This difference was attributed to the subgroup of patients with initially severe paresis (n = 22). While in VR severely impaired patients spent 80.7 % (4.4 %) of the session time actively; they reached 60.6 (12.1) % in CT. VR and CT also differed in terms of tasks and feedback provided.ConclusionOur results indicate that patients with severely impaired UL motor function spent more time actively in VR training, which may influence recovery. The upcoming results of the VIRTUES trial will show whether this is correlated with an increased effect of VR compared to CT.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02079103, February 27, 2014.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12883-016-0740-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background The Predict Recovery Potential algorithm (PREP2) was developed to predict upper limb (UL) function early after stroke. However, assessment in the acute phase is not always possible. Objective To assess the prognostic accuracy of the PREP2 when applied in a subacute neurorehabilitation setting. Methods This prospective longitudinal study included patients ≥18 years old with UL impairment following stroke. Patients were assessed in accordance with the PREP2 approach. However, 2 main components, the shoulder abduction finger extension (SAFE) score and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were obtained 2 weeks poststroke. UL function at 3 months was predicted in 1 of 4 categories and compared with the actual outcome at 3 months as assessed by the Action Research Arm Test. The prediction accuracy of the PREP2 was quantified using the correct classification rate (CCR). Results Ninety-one patients were included. Overall CCR of the PREP2 was 60% (95% CI 50%-71%). Within the 4 categories, CCR ranged from the lowest value at 33% (95% CI 4%-85%) for the category Limited to the highest value at 78% (95% CI 43%-95%) for the category Poor. In the present study, the overall CCR was significantly lower ( P < .001) than the 75% reported by the PREP2 developers. Conclusions The low overall CCR makes PREP2 obtained 2 weeks poststroke unsuited for clinical implementation. However, PREP2 may be used to predict either excellent UL function in already well-recovered patients or poor UL function in patients with persistent severe UL paresis.

Plastic changes in neurons responding to action observation and action execution occurred in accordance with clinical recovery. The involvement of motor areas when observing actions early and later after stroke may constitute a possible access to the motor system.

BackgroundNovel virtual reality rehabilitation systems provide the potential to increase intensity and offer challenging and motivating tasks. The efficacy of virtual reality systems to improve arm motor function early after stroke has not been demonstrated yet in sufficiently powered studies. The objective of the study is to investigate whether VR training as an adjunct to conventional therapy is more effective in improving arm motor function in the subacute phase after stroke than dose-matched conventional training, to assess patient and therapist satisfaction when working with novel virtual reality training and to calculate cost-effectiveness in terms of resources required to regain some degree of dexterity.Methods/DesignRandomized controlled observer-blind trial.One hundred and twenty patients up to 12 weeks after stroke will be randomized to either a group receiving VR training or dose-matched and therapist attention-matched conventional arm training in addition to standard rehabilitation. During a period of four weeks the patients will be offered additional 4–5 training sessions a week of 45–60 minutes duration by a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist.Study outcomes: Arm motor function, dexterity and independence in daily life activities will be evaluated at baseline, post treatment and three months follow-up assessments with the Action Research Arm Test, Box and Blocks Test and the Functional Independence Measure, respectively. Patient and therapist satisfaction with the implementation of a VR rehabilitation system will also be assessed with questionnaires and interviews.DiscussionVirtual reality systems are promising tools for rehabilitation of arm motor function after stroke. Their introduction in combination with traditional physical and occupational therapy may enhance recovery after stroke, and at the same time demand little personnel resources to increase training intensity. The VIRTUES trial will provide further evidence of VR-based treatment strategies to clinicians, patients and health economists.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02079103

Results indicate that eligibility for CIMT or mCIMT should not be considered before 4 weeks post stroke because much improvement in arm function was shown to occur during the first month post stroke with standard rehabilitation.