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Stroke patients, gear up Video games improve motor function

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Virtual reality game technology using Wii may help recovering stroke patients improve their motor function, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2010.

The study found that the virtual reality gaming system was a safe and feasible strategy to improve motor function after stroke.

“This is the first randomized clinical study showing that virtual reality using Wii gaming technology is feasible and safe and is potentially effective in enhancing motor function following a stroke, but our study results need to be confirmed in a major clinical trial,” said Dr. Gustavo Saposnik, director of the stroke outcomes research unit at the Li Ka Shing Institute.

The pilot study focused on movements with survivors’ impaired arms to help both fine (small muscle) and gross (large muscle) motor function.

The survivors received an intensive program of eight sessions, about 60 minutes each over two weeks, initiated about two months following a stroke.

“The beauty of virtual reality is that it applies the concept of repetitive tasks, high-intensity tasks and task-specific activities, that activates special neurons (called ‘mirror neuron system’) involved in mechanisms of cortical reorganization (brain plasticity),” Saposnik explained. “Effective rehabilitation calls for applying these principles.”

Researchers found significant motor improvement in speed and extent of recovery with the Wii technology.

“Basically, we found that patients in the Wii group achieved a better motor function, both fine and gross, manifested by improvement in speed and grip strength,” noted Saposnik. “But it is too early to recommend this approach generally. A larger, randomized study is needed and is underway.”

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