Virtual Reality for Upper Limb Rehabilitation After Stroke

Overseen By Hee-Tae Jung, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Indiana University

Disqualifiers: Seizures, Epilepsy, Visual deficits, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 27

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new method to help stroke survivors improve arm and hand movement using virtual reality (VR). The researchers aim to determine if a VR system focused on everyday activities can enhance recovery and engagement in people with acquired brain injuries. Participants will attend sessions with a therapist using the VR system to practice tasks like reaching and strengthening exercises. This trial suits individuals who experienced a stroke at least 2 months ago, face challenges with arm movement, and can follow simple instructions. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance rehabilitation methods for stroke survivors.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this VR system is safe for upper-limb rehabilitation in ABI individuals?

Research shows that virtual reality (VR) is a safe and promising tool for helping people regain arm movement. Studies have found that participants generally receive VR-based therapies well. For instance, one review found that VR training can greatly improve movement and daily activities for people recovering from strokes. This suggests that most people can use VR rehabilitation without major problems. Another study found that using VR for rehabilitation aids recovery without causing significant side effects. Thus, VR in therapy is mostly safe and effective for improving arm function. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using virtual reality (VR) for upper limb rehabilitation after a stroke because it offers an innovative way to engage patients in their recovery. Unlike traditional therapies that often rely on repetitive physical exercises, this VR approach immerses patients in activities of daily living (ADL) through a digital environment, making therapy more interactive and enjoyable. This method not only helps improve range of motion and strength but also motivates patients by simulating real-life tasks, potentially enhancing their overall rehabilitation experience and outcomes.

What evidence suggests that this VR system is effective for upper-limb rehabilitation after stroke?

Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) training can greatly improve arm and hand movement after a stroke. One study found that VR training helped people regain motor skills and perform daily activities more effectively than traditional therapy. Another review found VR useful in restoring arm movement and enhancing everyday life for stroke survivors. However, some studies report mixed results regarding its effectiveness. In this trial, participants will receive ADL-focused upper-limb virtual reality training, which appears promising for aiding recovery of arm and hand function and improving daily task performance after a brain injury. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Hee-Tae Jung, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Indiana University, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering

Peter Altenburger, Ph.D., PT

Principal Investigator

Indiana University, School of Health & Human Sciences; Indiana University Health, Center for Advanced Neurorehabilitation

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who have an acquired brain injury affecting their arm or hand, with a certain level of movement ability (Fugl-Meyer score ≥20). They must be able to understand instructions and be at least 2 months post-stroke in the recovery phase.

Inclusion Criteria

I have a brain injury that affects my arm or hand.

My arm and hand movement score is 20 or higher.

I had a stroke more than 2 months ago.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants integrate VR into rehabilitation treatment plans twice per week for 12 weeks, with increasing graphical complexity

12 weeks

24 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Virtual Reality (VR) for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Upper-Limb Rehabilitation

Trial Overview The study tests a virtual reality system designed for daily living activities like cooking, to see if it improves arm function when added to regular therapy routines for people recovering from brain injuries.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: ADL-Focused Virtual Reality Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive 24 one-hour rehabilitation sessions with a licensed occupational therapist trained in stroke recovery and with the VR system. Each therapy session will include range of motion and general strengthening activities as well as 20-30 minutes of the intervention (ADL-focused upper-limb virtual reality training). The goal is to complete rehabilitative training in 12 weeks, with each participant training two times per week.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Indiana University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,063

Recruited

1,182,000+

Indiana University Health

Collaborator

Trials

35

Recruited

18,500+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12020027/

Effect of virtual reality-based upper limb training on activity ... Virtual Reality (VR) based interventions have the potential to positively improve ADL and QOL which could be the most promising substitute or ...

2. e-bnr.org e-bnr.org/DOIx.php?id=10.12786/bn.2025.18.e2

The Effects of Virtual Reality Training on Post-Stroke Upper ... The findings revealed that VR training significantly outperformed CT in enhancing upper limb motor function, ADL, and balance, when administered ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2324242624000421

Virtual reality as a non-conventional rehabilitation for stroke Our findings show that VR based rehabilitations can be beneficial in restoring post-stroke upper limb functions and improving routine life of survivors.

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05163210

Effectiveness of AOT Based on Virtual Reality in Stroke ... Recent literature reviews provided evidence for improvement of upper limb motor function and daily life activity after VR-based training, as compared to ...

5. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1440-1630.12957

The use of virtual reality for activities of daily living ... This review suggests mixed results if VR is effective at treating upper limb, cognition, and ADL function after ABI. Using their clinical ...

6. bmcmedinformdecismak.biomedcentral.com bmcmedinformdecismak.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12911-024-02534-y

The efficacy of virtual reality for upper limb rehabilitation in ... This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that adjunctive VR-based rehabilitation enhances upper limb motor recovery across multiple functional ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537023003978

Effectiveness and safety of virtual reality rehabilitation after ... Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative neurorehabilitation modality that has been variously examined in systematic reviews. We assessed VR effectiveness and ...

8. jmir.org jmir.org/2025/1/e69003

Effect of Home-Based Virtual Reality Training on Upper ... This review shows that home-based VR training positively affects upper extremity function recovery in patients with stroke, especially in motor control ...