Cyberrehab: Empowering Hemiparesis Recovery with Affordable Mobile Virtual Reality Solutions for Upper Limb Strength

Background: Hemiparesis is a debilitating condition characterized by weakened muscle strength in one side of the body, often caused by stroke or brain injury. Rehabilitation is crucial for improving upper limb muscle strength and functional recovery in individuals with hemiparesis. Mobile-based Virtual Reality (VR) programs have emerged as an innovative and cost-effective approach to augment conventional physiotherapy in rehabilitation. This study investigates the efficacy of a low-cost mobile VR intervention in enhancing upper limb muscle strength and motivating individuals with hemiparesis to actively engage in their recovery. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 20 participants, divided into two groups: an experimental group receiving the combined intervention of mobile-based VR programs and conventional physiotherapy, and a control group receiving only conventional physiotherapy. The intervention spanned four weeks, with sessions held three days a week. Pre-test and post-test measurements were taken for various upper limb muscle groups using Manual Muscle Testing (MMT). Correlation analyses were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Results: The results revealed a strong and statistically significant positive correlation between pre-test and post-test MMT scores in the experimental group, indicating substantial improvements in upper limb muscle strength. In contrast, the control group exhibited more modest gains. The integration of mobile-based VR programs led to increased motivation and engagement among participants, contributing to better adherence to the rehabilitation routine. Conclusion: The integration of affordable mobile VR solutions in hemiparesis rehabilitation presents a promising approach to empower individuals on their journey to recovery. By improving upper limb muscle strength and motivating active participation in rehabilitation, mobile VR interventions like "CyberRehab" have the potential to revolutionize the field of hemiparesis recovery, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for those affected by this condition.