title: A low cost virtual reality system for home based rehabilitation of the arm following stroke: a randomised controlled feasibility trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial of a home-based virtual reality system for rehabilitation of the arm following stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two group feasibility randomised controlled trial of intervention versus usual care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients' homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients aged 18 or over, with residual arm dysfunction following stroke and no longer receiving any other intensive rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight weeks' use of a low cost home-based virtual reality system employing infra-red capture to translate the position of the hand into game play or usual care.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary objective was to collect information on the feasibility of a trial, including recruitment, collection of outcome measures and staff support required. Patients were assessed at three time points using the Wolf Motor Function Test, Nine-Hole Peg Test, Motor Activity Log and Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 15 months only 47 people were referred to the team. Twenty seven were randomised and 18 (67%) of those completed final outcome measures. Sample size calculation based on data from the Wolf Motor Function Test indicated a requirement for 38 per group. There was a significantly greater change from baseline in the intervention group on midpoint Wolf Grip strength and two subscales of the final Motor Activity Log. Training in the use of the equipment took a median of 230 minutes per patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To achieve the required sample size, a definitive home-based trial would require additional strategies to boost recruitment rates and adequate resources for patient support.
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Standen
authors.affiliation: 2 School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Threapleton
authors.affiliation: 3 Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, Integrated Community Therapy Team, St. Oswalds Hospital, Ashbourne, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.affiliation: 4 School of Nursing, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.affiliation: 5 Computing and Technology Team, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: 5 Computing and Technology Team, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Battersby
authors.affiliation: 6 Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mansfield Community Hospital, Nottinghamshire, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Platts
authors.affiliation: 5 Computing and Technology Team, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burton
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068079:Motor Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D006113:United Kingdom; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D018910:Video Games
keywords: Rehabilitation; feasibility; stroke; virtual reality