title: Effectiveness of the Virtual Reality System Toyra on Upper Limb Function in People with Tetraplegia: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a virtual reality program combined with conventional therapy in upper limb function in people with tetraplegia and to provide data about patients' satisfaction with the virtual reality system. Thirty-one people with subacute complete cervical tetraplegia participated in the study. Experimental group received 15 sessions with Toyra(®) virtual reality system for 5 weeks, 30 minutes/day, 3 days/week in addition to conventional therapy, while control group only received conventional therapy. All patients were assessed at baseline, after intervention, and at three-month follow-up with a battery of clinical, functional, and satisfaction scales. Control group showed significant improvements in the manual muscle test (p = 0,043, partial η (2) = 0,22) in the follow-up evaluation. Both groups demonstrated clinical, but nonsignificant, changes to their arm function in 4 of the 5 scales used. All patients showed a high level of satisfaction with the virtual reality system. This study showed that virtual reality added to conventional therapy produces similar results in upper limb function compared to only conventional therapy. Moreover, the gaming aspects incorporated in conventional rehabilitation appear to produce high motivation during execution of the assigned tasks. This trial is registered with EudraCT number 2015-002157-35.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Thinks Research Group, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle (UAM), C/La Salle 10, 28023 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dimbwadyo-Terrer
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics and Technical Aids Department, National Hospital for Spinal Cord Injury, Finca la Peraleda s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gil-Agudo
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Institute, Avenida de Madrid s/n, Talavera de la Reina, 45600 Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Segura-Fragoso
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics and Technical Aids Department, National Hospital for Spinal Cord Injury, Finca la Peraleda s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de los Reyes-Guzmán
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics and Technical Aids Department, National Hospital for Spinal Cord Injury, Finca la Peraleda s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Trincado-Alonso
authors.affiliation: Neural Rehabilitation Group, Cajal Institute, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.affiliation: Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Department, University of Castilla La Mancha, Avenida Real Fábrica de Sedas s/n, Talavera de la Reina, 45600 Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Polonio-López
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000473:pathology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D063367:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy