Virtual reality training for upper limb rehabilitation in subacute stroke patients: A Quasi experimental study on improving motor function.

The Global Burden of Disease Study suggested Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally and the third leading cause of premature death and disability as measured in Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY). Upper limb motor impairment is a common disability in stroke. Afflicted patients need to undergo therapeutic exercises to restore motor function and independence. Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that creates a simulated environment, allowing users to feel like they are in a different place or world.  Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a new technique in neurorehabilitation. It enables users to control and interact with the game console without the need to touch a game controller, through a natural gesture-based user interface. The device comes with an RGB camera and a depth sensor, which in combination provides full- body three dimensional motion capture capabilities and gesture recognition. . The aim is to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality training on improving upper limb motor function as measured by the  Fugl Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality training on upper limb motor function in subacute stroke patients. Methodology: A quasi experimental study was conducted involving both males and females in subacute stroke patients aged 40–55 years with mild to moderate upper limb motor impairment will be divided into two groups: Group A will receive VR-based training along with conventional therapy, while Group B will receive conventional therapy alone (Range of motion exercises). The intervention will last up to 6 weeks with 5 sessions per week. Motor function will be assessed using the Fug Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity before and after the intervention.

Results: Pre-test and post-test intervention assessment may indicate significant improvements in both groups but greater improvement in group A.

Expected Outcomes: It is expected that the combination of VR and conventional therapy will result in greater improvements in upper limb motor function compared to conventional therapy alone.

Conclusion: If effective, VR-based training could be integrated into routine stroke rehabilitation to enhance motor recovery, patient motivation and cost-effectiveness.