Usability, Acceptability, and Feasibility of a Personalized Adaptive Mirror Therapy for Upper-Limb Poststroke Rehabilitation Using Immersive Virtual Reality and Myoelectric Control: Single-Arm Pre-Post Study.

Abstract

Background: Stroke remains a primary cause of long-term disability worldwide, with upper-limb deficits affecting up to 80% of survivors acutely and 40% chronically. These deficits lead to considerable effects on their independence and overall quality of life. Conventional rehabilitation therapies are most effective when initiated shortly after a stroke, yet many patients face barriers to ongoing therapy post discharge. Recent advancements in low-cost rehabilitation systems, particularly those using virtual reality (VR) technologies, offer promising alternatives for enhancing upper-limb recovery.

Objective: Given the burden on health care systems and the limitations in access to high-intensity postdischarge rehabilitation, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of an upper-limb adaptive mirror therapy using VR and myoelectric control for the rehabilitation of patients with chronic stroke developed through a user-centered design approach.

Methods: In this study, a total of 12 community-dwelling survivors of chronic stroke (mean age 52.9, SD 16.0 years; 4 female) with moderate to severe upper-limb impairments were enrolled. Participants were stratified by age (young: 18-55 years; older: 56-80 years) and impairment level (Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity score: 18-36=severe; 37-54=moderate). Acceptability was assessed for each session by patient self-evaluation of satisfaction and motivation through a visual analog scale, while the therapist assessed the patient's participation in therapy using the Pittsburgh Participation Rehabilitation Scale. Usability was measured with the User Satisfaction Evaluation Questionnaire scale and feasibility through the NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Task Load Index cognitive workload indices.

Results: Patients reported a significant increase in satisfaction from the intermediate to the final assessment (T1: 72% vs T2: 85%; P=.01) and stable high motivation levels. Differences in participation and motivation were observed based on impairment levels, with no effect of age. Usability ratings remained high (>80%) throughout the intervention, with no significant differences between baseline and end line (P=.56). Cognitive workload assessments showed a significant reduction over time, in perceived cognitive (P=.04), performance (P=.007), and effort demands (P<.001). Impairment level significantly influenced perceived workload, with participants with more severe impairment reporting higher cognitive, physical, temporal, and effort demands (all P<.001), while age did not contribute to variability in acceptability, usability, or workload measures.

Conclusions: VR therapy was found to be feasible, under adaptive task conditions, ensuring stable performance across patients. The protocol was usable and acceptable among patients with chronic stroke, especially those with moderate impairment, supporting its potential as a user-centered digital rehabilitation tool, warranting further investigation in controlled and home-based settings.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07103122; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07103122.