title: Mobile game-based virtual reality rehabilitation program for upper limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke.
abstract: Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to provide intensive, repetitive, and task-oriented training, and game-based therapy can enhance patients' motivation and enjoyment.
  
  
  
  The objective of the present study was to develop a mobile game-based upper extremity VR program for patients who have experienced stroke, and to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the program.
  
  
  
  This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial included 24 patients with ischemic stroke. The intervention group (n = 12) received 30 min of conventional occupational therapy (OT) and 30 min of the mobile upper extremity rehabilitation program using a smartphone and a tablet PC (MoU-Rehab). The controls (n = 12) received conventional OT alone for 1 h per day. Rehabilitation consisted of 10 sessions of therapy, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks. The outcome measures (Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the upper extremity [FMA-UE], Brunnström stage [B-stage] for the arm and the hand, manual muscle testing [MMT], modified Barthel index [MBI], EuroQol-5 Dimension [EQ-5D], and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]) were assessed at the beginning and end of treatment, and at 1 month. User satisfaction was evaluated by a questionnaire.
  
  
  
  A greater improvement in the FMA-UE, B-stage, and MMT was found after treatment with the MoU-Rehab than with conventional therapy. The extent of improvements in the MBI, EQ-5D, and BDI was not significantly different between the two groups. Patients in the experimental group completed the 2-weeks treatment without adverse effects, and they were generally satisfied with MoU-Rehab.
  
  
  
  This mobile game-based VR rehabilitation program appears to be feasible and effective for promoting upper limb recovery after ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea.|Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon-Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Keimyung University, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jeonghun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ku
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Keimyung University, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyunmi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yeo Hyung
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea.
authors.forename: Nam-Jong
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Paik
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063731:Mobile Applications; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000076142:Virtual Reality
keywords: Ischemic stroke; m-health; rehabilitation; stroke; upper limb dysfunction