The Potential Effects of Sensor-Based Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation on Lower Limb Function in Patients with Chronic Stroke Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Case-Control Study
Background/Objectives: Individuals with chronic stroke often experience various impairments, including poor balance, reduced mobility, limited physical activity, and difficulty performing daily tasks. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, telerehabilitation (TR) can overcome the barriers of geogr...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Medical Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/13/2/65 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849432295452180480 |
|---|---|
| author | Mirjam Bonanno Maria Grazia Maggio Paolo De Pasquale Laura Ciatto Antonino Lombardo Facciale Morena De Francesco Giuseppe Andronaco Rosaria De Luca Angelo Quartarone Rocco Salvatore Calabrò |
| author_facet | Mirjam Bonanno Maria Grazia Maggio Paolo De Pasquale Laura Ciatto Antonino Lombardo Facciale Morena De Francesco Giuseppe Andronaco Rosaria De Luca Angelo Quartarone Rocco Salvatore Calabrò |
| author_sort | Mirjam Bonanno |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: Individuals with chronic stroke often experience various impairments, including poor balance, reduced mobility, limited physical activity, and difficulty performing daily tasks. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, telerehabilitation (TR) can overcome the barriers of geographical and physical distancing, time, costs, and travel, as well as the anxiety about contracting COVID-19. In this retrospective case-control study, we aim to evaluate the motor and cognitive effects of balance TR training carried out with a sensor-based non-immersive virtual reality system compared to conventional rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twenty chronic post-stroke patients underwent evaluation for inclusion in the analysis through an electronic recovery data system. The patients included in the study were divided into two groups with similar medical characteristics and duration of rehabilitation training. However, the groups differed in the type of rehabilitation approach used. The experimental group (EG) received TR with a sensor-based VR device, called VRRS—HomeKit (n. 10). In contrast, the control group (CG) underwent conventional home-based rehabilitation (n. 10). Results: At the end of the training, we observed significant improvements in the EG in the 10-m walking test (10MWT) (<i>p</i> = 0.01), Timed-Up-Go Left (TUG L) (<i>p</i> = 0.01), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (<i>p</i> = 0.005). Conclusions: In our study, we highlighted the potential role of sensor-based virtual reality TR in chronic stroke patients for improving lower limb function, suggesting that this approach is feasible and not inferior to conventional home-based rehabilitation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-75eff786639a49f586cfc8d6a406b58c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3271 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-75eff786639a49f586cfc8d6a406b58c2025-08-20T03:27:24ZengMDPI AGMedical Sciences2076-32712025-05-011326510.3390/medsci13020065The Potential Effects of Sensor-Based Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation on Lower Limb Function in Patients with Chronic Stroke Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Case-Control StudyMirjam Bonanno0Maria Grazia Maggio1Paolo De Pasquale2Laura Ciatto3Antonino Lombardo Facciale4Morena De Francesco5Giuseppe Andronaco6Rosaria De Luca7Angelo Quartarone8Rocco Salvatore Calabrò9IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Piazza Pugliatti, 1, 98120 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyBackground/Objectives: Individuals with chronic stroke often experience various impairments, including poor balance, reduced mobility, limited physical activity, and difficulty performing daily tasks. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, telerehabilitation (TR) can overcome the barriers of geographical and physical distancing, time, costs, and travel, as well as the anxiety about contracting COVID-19. In this retrospective case-control study, we aim to evaluate the motor and cognitive effects of balance TR training carried out with a sensor-based non-immersive virtual reality system compared to conventional rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twenty chronic post-stroke patients underwent evaluation for inclusion in the analysis through an electronic recovery data system. The patients included in the study were divided into two groups with similar medical characteristics and duration of rehabilitation training. However, the groups differed in the type of rehabilitation approach used. The experimental group (EG) received TR with a sensor-based VR device, called VRRS—HomeKit (n. 10). In contrast, the control group (CG) underwent conventional home-based rehabilitation (n. 10). Results: At the end of the training, we observed significant improvements in the EG in the 10-m walking test (10MWT) (<i>p</i> = 0.01), Timed-Up-Go Left (TUG L) (<i>p</i> = 0.01), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (<i>p</i> = 0.005). Conclusions: In our study, we highlighted the potential role of sensor-based virtual reality TR in chronic stroke patients for improving lower limb function, suggesting that this approach is feasible and not inferior to conventional home-based rehabilitation.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/13/2/65sensor-based telerehabilitationvirtual realitychronic strokelower limbsCOVID-19neurorehabilitation |
| spellingShingle | Mirjam Bonanno Maria Grazia Maggio Paolo De Pasquale Laura Ciatto Antonino Lombardo Facciale Morena De Francesco Giuseppe Andronaco Rosaria De Luca Angelo Quartarone Rocco Salvatore Calabrò The Potential Effects of Sensor-Based Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation on Lower Limb Function in Patients with Chronic Stroke Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Case-Control Study Medical Sciences sensor-based telerehabilitation virtual reality chronic stroke lower limbs COVID-19 neurorehabilitation |
| title | The Potential Effects of Sensor-Based Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation on Lower Limb Function in Patients with Chronic Stroke Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Case-Control Study |
| title_full | The Potential Effects of Sensor-Based Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation on Lower Limb Function in Patients with Chronic Stroke Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Case-Control Study |
| title_fullStr | The Potential Effects of Sensor-Based Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation on Lower Limb Function in Patients with Chronic Stroke Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Case-Control Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Potential Effects of Sensor-Based Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation on Lower Limb Function in Patients with Chronic Stroke Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Case-Control Study |
| title_short | The Potential Effects of Sensor-Based Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation on Lower Limb Function in Patients with Chronic Stroke Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Case-Control Study |
| title_sort | potential effects of sensor based virtual reality telerehabilitation on lower limb function in patients with chronic stroke facing the covid 19 pandemic a retrospective case control study |
| topic | sensor-based telerehabilitation virtual reality chronic stroke lower limbs COVID-19 neurorehabilitation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/13/2/65 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mirjambonanno thepotentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT mariagraziamaggio thepotentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT paolodepasquale thepotentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT lauraciatto thepotentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT antoninolombardofacciale thepotentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT morenadefrancesco thepotentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT giuseppeandronaco thepotentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT rosariadeluca thepotentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT angeloquartarone thepotentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT roccosalvatorecalabro thepotentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT mirjambonanno potentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT mariagraziamaggio potentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT paolodepasquale potentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT lauraciatto potentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT antoninolombardofacciale potentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT morenadefrancesco potentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT giuseppeandronaco potentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT rosariadeluca potentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT angeloquartarone potentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy AT roccosalvatorecalabro potentialeffectsofsensorbasedvirtualrealitytelerehabilitationonlowerlimbfunctioninpatientswithchronicstrokefacingthecovid19pandemicaretrospectivecasecontrolstudy |