Virtual Reality-Integrated Telerehabilitation System: Patient and Technical Performance

Abstract

Telerehabilitation is the provision of rehabilitation services at a distance, by a therapist at a remote location. Telerehabilitation, integrated with virtual reality, is a relatively new addition to this field. This paper describes the technical and patient performance of a virtual reality based telerehabilitation system for ankle training. Telerehabilitation was introduced in the fourth week of a lower extremity virtual reality-based training program for individuals post-stroke. Technical performance of the system was assessed based on bandwidth and time lag of message transmission, which were found to be suitable for clinic-to-clinic communication. Patient performance in the transition from the third to the fourth week of training remained the same (for accuracy of ankle movement, exercise duration and training efficiency) or increased (mechanical power of the ankle and number of repetitions). These findings strengthen the case for virtual reality based telerehabilitation