Chronic stroke survivors’ perspective on the use of serious games to motivate upper limb rehabilitation – a qualitative study

Abstract

Upper limb paresis occurs quite commonly after stroke and may result in the affected limb’s disuse or learned non-use. As a result, its cortical representation may be suppressed, further inhibiting its spontaneous utilization, resulting in motor function deterioration, increase in spasticity, joint stiffness and pain. The aim of this work was to involve stroke survivors in a qualitative study within a user centred design process to better understand the perspectives of stroke survivors on virtual reality - based serious games (SG) for upper limb rehabilitation during the chronic phase and use those insights to design a VR-based serious games which promotes activation of the affected cortical area. A qualitative research method was performed using a multi professional focus group discussion, including a representative group of stroke survivors. With the insights of this work, the authors initiated the design of a VR-based SG prototype for upper limb rehabilitation with two modes, one version to be played with any arm to pick a virtual hammer and hit targeted objects, and other version, a mirror version based on mirror therapy.

A Sensor-Based Upper Limb Treatment in Hemiplegic Patients: Results from a Randomized Pilot Study

“…Other than robotic therapy, virtual reality (VR) is also becoming increasingly used in the upper limb and hand rehabilitation of chronic strokes [ 23 ]. VR is an innovative approach to engaging and motivating patients.…”

Efectos de la Terapia en Espejo vs. Ejercicio Terapéutico Cognoscitivo en la mejora de las funciones del miembro superior en pacientes con ictus

“…Este comportamiento se desarrolla cuando la persona se apoya excesivamente en la extremidad no afectada para realizar las tareas cotidianas, lo que provoca una falta de estimulación y uso de la extremidad afecta. La falta de recuperación de la capacidad motora, la funcionalidad y la presencia del "learned non-use", desde un punto de vista clínico, puede reducir de forma significativa el rendimiento ocupacional de los pacientes [113,129,131].…”