Combined Effects of Xbox Kinect Virtual Reality and Motor Imagery on Lower Limb Function, Dynamic Balance and Gait in Chronic Stroke Patients

Stroke is focal neurological disorder that occurs due to the compromised blood flow to the brain. It results in mobility deficit, functional and gait impairment. Multiple rehabilitation methods have been designed and used, motor imagery (MI) and virtual reality (VR) are among the emerging techniques that are being used for the rehabilitation of patients with neurological conditions that improve motor learning through explicit and implicit processes.

After stroke the residual symptoms such as muscle hyper tonicity, attention deficiency, hemi neglect, abnormal reflexes and sensorimotor functional impairment may persist. Additional to these neurological symptoms certain balance issues may cause decrease in proprioception, muscle strength, increased load on non-paretic extremity and postural oscillations. It has been reported that every year approximately 25.7 million people survive stroke attacks, 6.5 million die because of stroke and 113 million people have disability-adjusted life-years.

Kinect based rehabilitation and virtual feedback have shown relevant activation changes in the primary sensorimotor cortex and can be responsible for that part of brain reorganization for improving in upper limb in stroke patients. Use of exer gaming is one of the emerging technologies that are being used for the physical, cognitive and motor rehabilitation of stroke patients. It is combination of video games and motion sensors incorporated in a virtual reality environment that engage the patients and improves motor learning therefore activating the motor areas of the brain for long term results.

Non immersive virtual reality gaming has been used for improving balance among the stroke patients. Not only is it considered more beneficial as compared to the conventional therapies but also maintains the interest of patients in their rehabilitation protocol. The Kinect based games use sensors that catch movements of the patients and they are able to watch them in real time with immediate feedback that becomes a source of motivation for them.

Xbox Kinect virtual gaming creates 3D environment with sensors and requires no controllers for patients to perform exercise whereas motor imagery is a state in which a particular motor action is internally activated without any motor output. Not only is VR and MI training motivating as compare to conventional therapies but also provide positive learning experience and neuroplasticity. With xbox kinect based VR therapies and MI, the exercise plan is tailored according to the needs of the patient.