title: Effect of virtual reality-based rehabilitation on upper-extremity function in patients with brain tumor: controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of virtual reality-based rehabilitation on upper-extremity function in patients with brain tumor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with upper-extremity dysfunction were divided into age-matched and tumor type-matched two groups. The intervention group performed the virtual reality program 30 mins per session for 9 sessions and conventional occupational therapy 30 mins per session for 6 sessions for 3 wks, whereas the control group received conventional occupational therapy alone 30 mins per session for 15 sessions for 3 wks. The Box and Block test, the Manual Function test, and the Fugl-Meyer scale were used to evaluate upper-extremity function. The Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index was used to assess activities of daily living.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty patients completed the study (20 for each group). Each group exhibited significant posttreatment improvements in the Box and Block test, Manual Function test, Fugl-Meyer scale, and Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index scores. The Box and Block test, the Fugl-Meyer scale, and the Manual Function test showed greater improvements in shoulder/elbow/forearm function in the intervention group and hand function in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Virtual reality-based rehabilitation combined with conventional occupational therapy may be more effective than conventional occupational therapy, especially for proximal upper-extremity function in patients with brain tumor. Further studies considering hand function, such as use of virtual reality programs that targeting hand use, are required.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul (JY, MHC); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan (SJL); and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, University of Jeju College of Medicine, Jeju, Republic of Korea (BRK).
authors.forename: Jisun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Min Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Sook Joung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Bo Ryun
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D063367:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy