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New publication from VIRTUES trial

Is Virtual reality training more intensive than conventional training?

Results from this study indicate that patients with severely impaired upper limb motor function spent more time actively in VR training (VR) than in conventional training (CT).

Air plane game
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We analyzed a random sample of 50 video recordings 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.

Patients 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 only 60.6 (12.1) % in CT.  Our results indicate that patients with severely impaired UL motor function spent more time actively in VR training, which may influence recovery.

Read more here: http://rdcu.be/mzpo