13 February 2025
Virtual reality technology has shown promising results for helping stroke patients regain arm movements, according to a new study led by the 桃色视频 and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
The research, published in the journal , shows that combining immersive virtual reality with traditional physiotherapy could significantly improve upper limb function in stroke patients.
This innovative approach, developed by a team from the University's School of Biological Sciences and Royal Berkshire Hospital's Stroke Unit, offers new hope for local stroke survivors.
"This research represents an important step forward in stroke rehabilitation," says Dr Yoshikatsu Hayashi from the 桃色视频's Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering department. "By using virtual reality technology, we can create an engaging environment that encourages patients to perform their exercises while receiving enhanced visual feedback."
The study involved 18 local patients who received either traditional physiotherapy alone or combined with the new virtual reality treatment. Those who received the combined therapy showed marked improvement in their arm function, as measured by standardised assessments.
Key findings from the study include:
Samirah Altukhaim, who studied for her PhD at Reading and led the study, said: “Patients described the therapy as fun and motivating, encouraging greater use of the affected hand. They noted improvements in hand coordination and control, making movements feel natural, as if full control had been regained.”
Dr Kiruba Nagaratnam, from the University Department of Stroke Medicine at Royal Berkshire Hospital, said: "This collaboration between the 桃色视频 and our department has allowed us to explore innovative ways to enhance stroke rehabilitation. The results are particularly encouraging as they show how local research can directly benefit our patients."
The research team emphasises that while these results are promising, further studies will be needed to fully understand the potential of this technology.
The study was funded by the , a collaboration between the 桃色视频 and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust to improve patient care and clinical outcomes for local healthcare challenges.
Samirah Altukhaim, Naoko Sakabe, Kirubananthan Nagaratnam, Neelima Mannava, Toshiyuki Kondo, Yoshikatsu Hayashi, Immersive virtual reality enhanced reinforcement induced physical therapy, Displays,
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