Psychological benefits of virtual reality for patients in rehabilitation therapy.
BACKGROUND
Whether virtual rehabilitation is beneficial has not been determined.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the psychological benefits of virtual reality in rehabilitation.


METHODS
An experimental group underwent therapy with a virtual-reality-based exercise bike, and a control group underwent the therapy without virtual-reality equipment.


METHODS
Hospital laboratory.


METHODS
30 patients suffering from spinal-cord injury.


METHODS
A designed rehabilitation therapy.


METHODS
Endurance, Borg's rating-of-perceived-exertion scale, the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List (AD-ACL), and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire.


RESULTS
The differences between the experimental and control groups were significant for AD-ACL calmness and tension.


CONCLUSIONS
A virtual-reality-based rehabilitation program can ease patients' tension and induce calm.
Chen
Chih-Hung
CH
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li 32054, Taiwan.
Jeng
Ming-Chang
MC
Fung
Chin-Ping
CP
Doong
Ji-Liang
JL
Chuang
Tien-Yow
TY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001642:Bicycling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D014584:User-Computer Interface