National Stroke Association
Volume 15, Number 10 - October 1998

Virtual Reality - A New Path for Stroke Recovery

Rehabilitative technologies for stroke patients are growing at a rapid pace
with one of the most exciting developments occurring in virtual reality. 

Virtual reality allows humans to interact with a computer system in such a
way that simulated actions or motions appear and feel like they are actually
occurring. For example, at the Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis, MN,
stroke survivors are using virtual reality technology to create a visual
picture of their homes or cities to learn how to maneuver wheelchairs with
ease and safety. 

Another virtual reality therapy involves training a stroke survivor’s brain
to see a neglected side, if they suffer from right or left-sided neglect. 

"As the population continues to age, stroke rates are going to continue to
rise. With new technologies like virtual reality, we will hopefully be able
to improve rehabilitative care and get patients better, quicker," said Dr.
Tim Bowman, Project Director, Advanced Rehabilitative Technologies Center,
Sister Kenny Institute. 

Virtual reality research for rehabilitative medicine has been taking place
for about five years, but has piqued increased interest and funding just
within the past few years, according to Bowman. 

"There are just a handful of institutes who are researching the use of
virtual reality in a rehabilitation setting. Our institute is hoping to help
validate some of their theories through the practical use of the technology.
We’ve seen the use of this technology help more than 100 patients," said
Bowman. 

"Patients get used to the same type of therapy, but with the virtual reality
and video-game-like motions patients seem to stay more motivated and engaged
longer. They think of it as entertainment rather that rehabilitation and are
moving beyond plateaus," said Bowman. 

However, even with the amazing possibilities of virtual reality, there are
some drawbacks to the therapy, including the heaviness or bulkiness of the
head-monitored virtual reality device, motion sickness, and the intensity of
the therapy's immersiveness. 

"The virtual reality devices are getting lighter with the continued
development of the technology. Several patients experience motion sickness
due to the intensity of the therapy, but it is usually not too severe and
passes relatively quickly. To help these patients still utilize some of the
technology, we may direct them towards the use of more traditional video
therapy," Bowman said. 

However, even with these drawbacks, Bowman and his researchers have high
hopes for the future of virtual rehabilitation, "Our hope is that virtual
reality and other rehabilitative technologies will be able to be used in the
home, possibly through the Internet, called telerehab. This technology is
definitely going to revolutionize rehabilitation, we just need more data and
technologies to help capture the information better and more quickly," said
Bowman. 

To reach the Sister Kenny Institute or to get more information on virtual
reality rehabilitation, call 612/863-4400 or check out their website at:
http://www.ski-rehab.org