Aristela de Freitas Zanona1,2,3,4, Raphael Fabricio de Souza1,5,6, Felipe J Aidar5,6,7, Dihogo Gama de Matos6, Karine Morgana Batista Santos6, Max da Conceição Paixão3, Priscila Yukari Sewo Sampaio3, Heleno Almeida Junior5,7, Katia Karina Monte-Silva1,2,4. 1. Postgraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. 2. Applied Neuroscience Laboratory, Federal University of Pernambuco - UFPE, Recife, Brazil. 3. Department of Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Sergipe - UFS, Lagarto, Sergipe, Brazil. 4. Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Pernambuco - UFPE, Recife, Brazil. 5. Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe - UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil. 6. Group of Studies and Research of Performance, Sport, Health and Paralympic Sports - GEPEPS, Federal University of Sergipe - UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil. 7. Graduate Program in Master's Level in Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe - UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stroke rehabilitation that is based on the patients' needs, experiences, and priorities requires extensive knowledge and skills to capture and integrate the perspectives of the subject. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of an occupational therapy protocol associated with virtual reality (VR) on the symmetry of body temperature (BTP), balance, and functionality of patients with stroke sequelae. METHODS: Ten patients (69.84 ± 7.55 years) diagnosed with stroke between 2 and 10 years earlier were evaluated during clinical care sessions integrated with VR games. Associated with games, all patients were stimulated to use both upper and lower limbs and distribute body weight symmetrically, and perceptual stimuli of body-half training, alignment, postural control, and balance were given. The variables of thermography (temperature [°C] and body asymmetry) of the upper and lower limbs, balance (Berg scale), and functionality were analyzed before and after the test. RESULTS: BTP was reduced in the 4 upper and lower limb body regions of interest: the right arm (p = 0.024, Cohen's d = 1.02), previous direct hand (p = 0.034, Cohen's d = 1.22), right back hand (p = 0.003, Cohen's d = 1.85) and Left (p = 0.013, Cohen's d = 0.92), right thigh (p = 0.035, Cohen's d = 1.32), and left thigh (p = 0.047, Cohen's d = 0.92). The mean of the bilateral asymmetry variation of the arm in the anterior position at the pre test was classified according to the level of attention monitoring (which means that the asymmetry rate is above normal), changing its state at the end of the intervention to normal. There was an increase in the functional independence score (p = 0.015, Cohen's d = 0.50) and in the static and dynamic balance function (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.07). CONCLUSION: VR associated with occupational therapeutic planning can amplify and potentiate neurological recovery following stroke.
BACKGROUND: Stroke rehabilitation that is based on the patients' needs, experiences, and priorities requires extensive knowledge and skills to capture and integrate the perspectives of the subject. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of an occupational therapy protocol associated with virtual reality (VR) on the symmetry of body temperature (BTP), balance, and functionality of patients with stroke sequelae. METHODS: Ten patients (69.84 ± 7.55 years) diagnosed with stroke between 2 and 10 years earlier were evaluated during clinical care sessions integrated with VR games. Associated with games, all patients were stimulated to use both upper and lower limbs and distribute body weight symmetrically, and perceptual stimuli of body-half training, alignment, postural control, and balance were given. The variables of thermography (temperature [°C] and body asymmetry) of the upper and lower limbs, balance (Berg scale), and functionality were analyzed before and after the test. RESULTS: BTP was reduced in the 4 upper and lower limb body regions of interest: the right arm (p = 0.024, Cohen's d = 1.02), previous direct hand (p = 0.034, Cohen's d = 1.22), right back hand (p = 0.003, Cohen's d = 1.85) and Left (p = 0.013, Cohen's d = 0.92), right thigh (p = 0.035, Cohen's d = 1.32), and left thigh (p = 0.047, Cohen's d = 0.92). The mean of the bilateral asymmetry variation of the arm in the anterior position at the pre test was classified according to the level of attention monitoring (which means that the asymmetry rate is above normal), changing its state at the end of the intervention to normal. There was an increase in the functional independence score (p = 0.015, Cohen's d = 0.50) and in the static and dynamic balance function (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.07). CONCLUSION: VR associated with occupational therapeutic planning can amplify and potentiate neurological recovery following stroke.
Entities:
Keywords:
Body asymmetry; Occupational therapy; Stroke; Virtual reality
Authors: J T Lindsay Wilson; Asha Hareendran; Marie Grant; Tracey Baird; Ursula G R Schulz; Keith W Muir; Ian Bone Journal: Stroke Date: 2002-09 Impact factor: 7.914