Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences最新文献

{"title":"Spinal cord injury and electrical stimulation: analysis of neuroplasticity in a case report.","authors":"Orcizo Francisco Silvestre, Julia Silva E Lima Schleder, Bruna Valentina Zuchatti, Cintia Kelly Bittar, Carla Alves Fakih, Marina Squarizi Simões Chagas, Vinicius Taboni Lisboa, Alberto Cliquet Junior","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1557010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2025.1557010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a highly prevalent condition, with just below 1 million new cases yearly, deriving for traumatic and non-traumatic causes. It is a significant cause for disability, greatly impacting quality of life of affected individuals, and as such, requires effective rehabilitation methods in order to maintain daily function. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) is a helpful treatment, stimulating muscle contraction and plasticity through electrical currents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a Case-Report of two cases with different SCI causes, submitted to a 1-year treatment with NMES under identical protocols. ASIA neurological examination with AIS classification was performed before and after treatment, as well as surface Electromyographic assessment for the Vastus Lateralis and Rectus Femoris muscles bilaterally.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Neurological recovery was remarkable after 1 year, with AIS increasing from a score of A to C in the first case and B to C in the second. EMG assessment showed a bilateral increase of peak values as well as successful Quadriceps muscle contraction generating knee extension.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Neuromuscular electrical stimulation may be a promising strategy in the rehabilitation of spinal cord injuries, with the potential to aid in functional recovery and modulation of neuroplasticity. Preliminary observations, such as those in this case report, suggest that the technique may be associated with improvements in mobility and quality of life in patients, although controlled studies are needed to confirm these effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"1557010"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222191/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144562247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of game design characteristics of a virtual reality serious game for upper-limb prosthesis control training on motor learning.","authors":"Jack Tchimino, Bart Maas, Bram van Dijk, Alessio Murgia, Corry K van der Sluis, Raoul M Bongers","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1520184","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1520184","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Rehabilitation outcomes of hand prosthesis control training generally benefit from an early start in the rehabilitation regimen as well as the use of modern technologies, like serious games, in lieu of more conventional methods. In this study, we tested a virtual reality based myoelectric prosthesis training serious game, specifically how the game design elements affected different aspects of motor control and training.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Ten able-bodied participants were asked to execute a series of tasks by controlling an LDA-controlled 1-DoF virtual hand prosthesis within a virtual reality environment (VRE) serious game. The tasks included grasping and manipulating virtual objects and controlled force modulation, the latter facilitated by artificial feedback communicated to participants in the VRE.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results indicated that the game physics affected the way that the participants completed the tasks, while the tasks themselves appeared to be approached and executed in different ways by the participants. Contrary to expectations, however, the force feedback did not influence the participants' ability to precisely modulate the grasping force applied with the virtual prosthesis.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Based on these results, it can be concluded that users can be trained within the proposed framework to develop motor skills that might be translated into the use of a real prosthesis, in a more engaging and timely manner.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"1520184"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12209274/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144546457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Objective gait analysis using Kinect v2® for the prognosis of walking during the acute phase of rehabilitation after proximal femoral fracture surgery.","authors":"Kohki Matsubara, Gen Kuroyanagi, Atsushi Imamura, Yuichiro Mizuno, Shintaro Tsukada, Ruido Ida, Haruhiko Tokuda, Hideki Murakami, Hideki Okamoto, Yoshino Ueki","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1527825","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1527825","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>While factors affecting gait post-surgery for proximal femoral fracture (PFF) have been studied, the prognostic value of objective gait analysis during acute postoperative rehabilitation remains unclear. Microsoft Kinect for Windows v2® (Kinect) is a noninvasive, low-cost, and easy-to-implement posture estimation device. However, its application in analyzing gait for these patients is underreported. This study aims to analyze gait during acute postoperative rehabilitation using Kinect, identifying key gait evaluation metrics and prognostic indicators.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study included 17 patients who were admitted to our hospital with PFF and underwent surgery. Rehabilitation began the day after surgery, with weekly Kinect-recorded gait videos from postoperative weeks 1 to 4. Gait parameters were analyzed thereafter. Participants were divided into two groups: those unable to walk with a walker one week after surgery were classified as having a poor prognosis (<i>n</i> = 7), while those who could were classified as having a good prognosis (<i>n</i> = 10). Various gait parameters were then compared between the groups to examine factors predicting gait prognosis. Furthermore, the hip joint pain/activities of daily living (ADL) index Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and the dynamic balance indicator timed up and go test (TUG) were evaluated, and the correlation with each gait parameter was examined. Key gait parameters were analyzed in both groups after equivalent rehabilitation periods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Increased gait velocity, decreased gait cycle time, increased swing phase, decreased stance phase, and increased maximum hip joint flexion angle were observed during the postoperative rehabilitation in both study groups. Compared with the good prognosis group, the poor gait prognosis group showed worse swing/stance phases of either healthy or affected limb, TUG, and OHS. The mean TUG value and OHS correlated with each gait parameter. Even after the same rehabilitation gait training period, the good prognosis group showed greater improvements in gait velocity, swing phase, stance phase, hip and knee joint flexion angles, and OHS compared to the poor prognosis group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>During the acute phase of rehabilitation after PFF surgery, adequate hip pain control and early weight bearing of the operated limb are important for favorable gait prognosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"1527825"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12198189/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144509801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial: Promoting health management in rehabilitation.","authors":"Jaclyn Schwartz, Elena Donoso Brown, Scott Bleakley","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1626049","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1626049","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"1626049"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12187785/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and nutraceutical supplementation in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Dalila Scaturro, Domenico Migliorino, Sofia Tomasello, Michele Vecchio, Antimo Moretti, Giovanni Iolascon, Giulia Letizia Mauro","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1593909","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1593909","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Numerous scientific papers have compared different treatment options in the management of lateral epicondylitis. Our study evaluated the efficacy of focal extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) combined with an integrative nutraceutical treatment of hyaluronic acid, collagen, vitamin C, and manganese, compared with single treatment in patients with lateral epicondylitis in terms of improvement of pain, functional capacity, muscle strength, and reduction of inflammation on ultrasound images.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A single-center, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in a population of patients with lateral epicondylitis. Patients were enrolled and randomly divided into 3 groups: Group A, consisting of 15 patients who were treated with twenty sessions of therapeutic exercise and five focal ESWT sessions (one session every six days); Group B, consisting of 15 patients who performed twenty sessions of therapeutic exercise and took daily a dietary supplement consisting of Hyaluronic Acid 200 mg, Collagen 5,000 mg, Vitamin C 250 mg and Manganese 10 mg for thirty days; and Group C, consisting of 15 patients, who received a combined treatment of therapeutic exercise, focal ESWT and nutraceutical supplementation The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Scale (PRTEE) were administered during the first physiatric examination (T0), at 15 days after the start of treatment (T1), and at a 30-day follow-up (T2). In addition, muscle strength (Handgrip strength) was analyzed by means of a dynamometer, and common extensor tendon thickness (CET Thickness) by ultrasound examination.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data analysis showed that NRS scale scores decreased significantly only in group B at T1 (<i>P</i> < 0.05), and in the three groups at T2 (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Grip strength increased significantly after 30 days only in group C (<i>P</i> < 0.05), while PRTEE scores and CET Thickness decreased significantly at T2 in the three groups (<i>P</i> < 0.05). The comparison among the various groups also showed that the Group C showed statistically significant improvements of function and grip strength at T2, compared with the other groups (<i>P</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Our study demonstrated that the combination of focal ESWT, therapeutic exercise, and nutraceutical supplementation, represent a viable therapeutic option for the management of lateral epicondylitis; likewise, the proposed treatments resulted in a synergistic effect for pain relief and functional recovery in the short term, providing a decrease in the inflammatory state and an increase in muscle strength.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"1593909"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12187671/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A brief discussion on the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the efficacy of rehabilitation medicine.","authors":"Guan Zhencheng, Xue Aiguo","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1593487","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1593487","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is an active peptide composed of 37 amino acids that functions through specific receptors. It is widely distributed in small-diameter dorsal root ganglion neurons, trigeminal ganglion neurons, and nerve fibers innervating the spinal cord and brainstem dorsal horn. CGRP regulates various physiological functions, including vasodilation, inflammation modulation, and cardiac protection, and plays a key role in pain transmission. Pain is a global health challenge closely associated with the activity of neuropeptides such as CGRP. Although progress has been made in the application of CGRP in treating various diseases, research in the field of rehabilitation remains in its early stages. This article summarizes the roles of CGRP in peripheral nerve injury, central injury, cardiovascular rehabilitation, and pain rehabilitation. In terms of treatment, common physical therapies such as laser therapy and shock wave therapy have been shown to influence CGRP expression levels. However, the specific effects of these physical interventions on CGRP require more systematic future research and analysis to achieve more efficient and personalized rehabilitation strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"1593487"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12183239/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144478124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of psychoeducational intervention in promoting post-stroke self-care: a systematic literature review.","authors":"Victor Nhime Nungulo, Mauer Gonçalves, Maria Adriana Henriques, Cristina Lavareda Baixinho","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1569526","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1569526","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Stroke is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, and sequelae include physical disability, difficulties with independence for self-care, and loss of mobility and quality of life.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>this study was to summarize the evidence about the effectiveness of psychoeducational interventions in promoting post-stroke self-care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic literature review was carried out per the Cochrane recommendations. The following databases were included: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, CINAHL Complete, Cochrane, JBI, and B-on. The study as performed between December 2023 and February 2024, according to the eligibility criteria, by two independent reviewers. The bibliographic sample was evaluated for risk of bias using RoB 2, only clinical trials were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The seven articles selected, from 2019 to 2024 evaluated education to promote care and self-care; rehabilitation programmes with physical exercise; management of stress, depression and anxiety; and symptom management. Interventions relating to awareness and knowledge about post-stroke, development of healthy behavior and lifestyle reinforcement of self-care capacity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This literature review found that in some studies the implementation of psychoeducational interventions improves the knowledge, independence and self-care of this population and their families, although not all of them were equally effective. The results of the articles reinforce that psychoeducational interventions may increase functional independence and the ability to carry out activities of daily living and improve health and quality of life.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023483087, PROSPERO CRD42023483087.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"1569526"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12179131/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144478125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of TDCS with proprioceptive exercises to improve gait and balance in visually impaired children and preadolescents: a protocol for randomized clinical trial study.","authors":"Roberta Carneiro de Toledo, Rodolfo Borges Parreira, Deborah Carvalho da Silva Cardoso, Natália de Almeida Carvalho Duarte, Jamile Benite Palma Lopes, Lorraine Barbosa Cordeiro, Daniela Rosana Pedro Fonseca, Iranse Oliveira Silva, Renata Calhes Franco, Karla Cristina Naves de Carvalho, Andrei Machado Viegas da Trindade, Samara Lamounier Santana Parreira, Manuela Galli, Venorica Cimolin, Claudia Santos Oliveira","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1465846","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1465846","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the absence of information from the visual system, balance is guided by only two of the three afferent systems. If there is no early stimulation of these systems, blind children tend to become passive, which can have a negative impact on muscle tone, coordination and balance. The aim of the present study protocol is to investigate whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance the effects of static and dynamic proprioceptive exercises on gait and balance control in children and preadolescents with acquired or congenital visual impairment. This randomized controlled trial will be conducted in three phases, starting with a cross-sectional analysis, followed by a pilot study, and concluding with a full-scale clinical trial. The study will be conducted following approval from the institutional review board of Universidade Evangélica de Anápolis, Anápolis, GO, Brazil (certificate number:4610052.6.0000.5076). The study will be divided into three phases. Phase 1 will be a cross-sectional study to characterize gait, postural control and balance (static and dynamic) in the sample. Phase 2 will be a pilot study that will serve to determine the sample size in Phase 3. Both phases 2 and 3 will employ the same methods and will constitute a randomized, controlled, double- blind, clinical trial. The participants will be randomly divided into four groups: (G1) active tDCS + static proprioceptive exercises; (G2) sham tDCS + static proprioceptive exercises; (G3) active tDCS + dynamic proprioceptive exercises; (G4) sham tDCS + dynamic proprioceptive exercises. The results will be based on evaluations performed on three occasions [preintervention, postintervention (after ten treatment sessions) and 1-month follow-up] and will involve three-dimensional gait analysis as well as assessments of functional mobility functional and balance (static and dynamic). The expected outcomes of this study protocol include determining the postural differences, functional mobility, and static balance between children and pre-adolescents with congenital and acquired visual impairment and enable the establishment of new rehabilitation protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"1465846"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12176862/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144334577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Barriers and opportunities to bridge between hospital and community via rehabilitation exercises for people with disabilities: multi-ministerial R&D efforts in South Korea.","authors":"Hogene Kim, Aerim Kim, Hye Min Choi, Jungah Lee, Jung Hwan Kim, Hyosun Kweon","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1505943","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1505943","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>People with disabilities often experience limited participation in community-based exercise activities aimed at promoting health. The concept that \"Exercise is Medicine\" is widely acknowledged across societies and historical periods. However, there is a notable discontinuity between hospital-based and community-based health promotion efforts for people with disabilities. This article discusses multi-ministerial research and development (R&D) efforts in South Korea to address this issue, emphasizing the need for transitional strategies to successfully bridge the service gap. As the first collaborative multi-ministerial R&D initiative between the sports and clinical ministries in South Korea, this project focuses on community-based rehabilitation exercises through three major components: (1) Smart Exercise Equipment, (2) Disability-based Exercise Programs and Services, and (3) Data Continuity on Health Information. A standardized community rehabilitation exercise dataset was also developed to evaluate activities of daily living, primarily categorized into physiological outcomes during exercises, clinical assessments, and lifelog data measurements. The National Rehabilitation Center, under the Ministry of Health & Welfare and serving as the leading ministry, is dedicated to developing a rehabilitation exercise Living Lab that integrates these three components in collaboration with other ministries. This initiative aims to benefit people with disabilities by enhancing their health through data-driven rehabilitation exercise services. Furthermore, clinicians and community rehabilitation exercise providers could improve services by utilizing this standardized dataset, facilitating comparisons of clinical records through a public service platform.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"1505943"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12174394/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144327957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Virtual reality as a potential therapy in a rehabilitation sanatorium for patients after ischemic stroke: impact on quality of life and social participation-a randomized trial.","authors":"Marcela Dabrowská, Lucie Honzíková, Dalibor Pastucha, Miroslav Janura, Hana Tomášková, Iva Fiedorová, Šárka A Čechová, Jana Trdá, Milan Elfmark","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1539175","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2025.1539175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to determine whether adding virtual reality therapy to conventional rehabilitation improves the quality of life, cognitive functions, and social participation of patients after an ischemic stroke.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Randomized controlled study conducted in a rehabilitation center.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>The experimental group with therapy in virtual reality included 25 patients (age 59.4 ± 8.9 years), and the control group with conventional therapy consisted of 25 patients (age 63.0 ± 8.8 years). Inclusion criteria for the study were: age 40-79 years, stable condition, Mini-Mental State Examination >25 points, intact vision, preserved grip function of the thumb and index finger of the affected limb, functional mobility according to the functional ambulatory category (FAC) 3-5, and no other neurological disease.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Mini Mental State Examination, the Barthel Index, the Extended Barthel Index, and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 were used to assess cognitive function, quality of life, and self-sufficiency. Based on the results of normality test were used: <i>t</i>-test for two samples (age, time since stroke), the chi-square test (gender), nonparametric paired Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> test. Friedman analysis was used to analyze repeated measures and a <i>post hoc</i> test Scheffe test was used to compare differences. Statistical tests were evaluated at the 5% significance level.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups in any of the tests applied after treatment. Significant differences emerged after treatment in all WHODAS domains studied for each group compared to the measurement before therapy. In the experimental group, the positive effects of therapy persisted 1 year after the end of therapy compared to the measurement before therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Virtual reality has proven to be a suitable adjunct to conventional therapy for post stroke patients and offers an advantage over traditional rehabilitation methods in that it allows training in activities of daily living that are not commonly available in a hospital setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"1539175"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12171302/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144318871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}