Virtual reality (VR)-based community living skills training for people with acquired brain injury: A pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to test the usability and effectiveness of a newly-developed virtual reality (VR)-based community living skills training program for people with acquired brain injury (ABI).


METHODS
A small-sample, pre- and post-quasi experimental design was adopted to initially study the efficacy of the VR-based training program. Its usability was also investigated through interviewing subjects. Outcomes were documented in terms of subjects' skills acquisition, self-efficacy in applying the learnt skills and the transfer ratio of the learnt skills to the real environment. Global cognitive ability and the functional independence level were also assessed.


RESULTS
Four subjects with ABI (one traumatic brain injury and three stroke subjects) were successfully recruited and received 10 sessions of VR-based community living skills training. All four subjects showed improvement in skills acquisition and memory performance, while three out of four also showed improvement in self-efficacy and demonstrated transfer of skills to the real environment. Usability was initially supported.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary results suggested positive changes in ABI subjects. The proposed virtual reality (VR) community living skills training software will be further investigated in a randomized controlled trial.
Yip
Ben C B
BC
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, PR China.
Man
David W K
DW
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003198:Computer Simulation / Q000592:standards*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014584:User-Computer Interface