Isabelle Lehmann1, Gillian Baer2, Corina Schuster-Amft3. 1. Department of Physiotherapy, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address: isabelle.lehmann@insel.ch. 2. School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh EH21 6UU, United Kingdom. Electronic address: gbaer@qmu.ac.uk. 3. Research Department, Reha Rheinfelden, Rheinfelden, Switzerland; Institute for Rehabilitation and Performance Technology, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Burgdorf, Switzerland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The YouGrabber (YG) is a new virtual reality training system that focuses on unilateral and bimanual activities. This nested study was part of a larger multicenter randomized controlled trial and explored experiences of people with chronic stroke during a 4 weeks intensive upper limb training with YG. DESIGN: A qualitative design using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. A phenomenological descriptive approach was used, with data coded, categorized and summarized using a thematic analysis. Topics investigated included: the experience of YG training, perceived impact of YG training on arm function, and the role of the treating therapist. RESULTS:Five people were interviewed (one female, age range 55 to 75 years, 1 to 6 years poststroke). Seven main themes were identified: (1) general experience, (2) expectations, (3) feedback, (4) arm function, (5) physiotherapist's role, (6) fatigue, (7) motivation. Key experiences reported included feelings of motivation and satisfaction, with positive factors identified as challenge, competition, fun and effort. The YG training appeared to trigger greater effort, however fatigue was experienced at the end of the training. Overall, patients described positive changes in upper limb motor function and activity level, e.g. automatic arm use. While the opportunity for self-practice was appreciated, input from the therapist at the start of the intervention was deemed important for safety and confidence. CONCLUSIONS: Reported experiences were mostly positive and the participants were motivated to practice intensively. They enjoyed the challenging component of the games.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: The YouGrabber (YG) is a new virtual reality training system that focuses on unilateral and bimanual activities. This nested study was part of a larger multicenter randomized controlled trial and explored experiences of people with chronic stroke during a 4 weeks intensive upper limb training with YG. DESIGN: A qualitative design using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. A phenomenological descriptive approach was used, with data coded, categorized and summarized using a thematic analysis. Topics investigated included: the experience of YG training, perceived impact of YG training on arm function, and the role of the treating therapist. RESULTS: Five people were interviewed (one female, age range 55 to 75 years, 1 to 6 years poststroke). Seven main themes were identified: (1) general experience, (2) expectations, (3) feedback, (4) arm function, (5) physiotherapist's role, (6) fatigue, (7) motivation. Key experiences reported included feelings of motivation and satisfaction, with positive factors identified as challenge, competition, fun and effort. The YG training appeared to trigger greater effort, however fatigue was experienced at the end of the training. Overall, patients described positive changes in upper limb motor function and activity level, e.g. automatic arm use. While the opportunity for self-practice was appreciated, input from the therapist at the start of the intervention was deemed important for safety and confidence. CONCLUSIONS: Reported experiences were mostly positive and the participants were motivated to practice intensively. They enjoyed the challenging component of the games.
Authors: Cherry Kilbride; Daniel J M Scott; Tom Butcher; Meriel Norris; Alyson Warland; Nana Anokye; Elizabeth Cassidy; Karen Baker; Dimitrios A Athanasiou; Guillem Singla-Buxarrais; Alexander Nowicky; Jennifer Ryan Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-02-28 Impact factor: 2.692