《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2024, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (1): 61-67.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2024.01.008

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Effect of virtual reality on upper limb function after stroke: a study of diffusion tensor imaging

LIN Na(), GAO Hanlu, LU Huiping, CHEN Yanqing, ZHENG Junfan, CHEN Shurong   

  1. Fuzhou Second General Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350007, China
  • Received:2023-10-20 Revised:2023-12-29 Published:2024-01-25 Online:2024-02-04
  • Contact: LIN Na, E-mail: 627404229@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    Fuzhou Health Young and Middle-aged Scientific Research Program(2021-S-wq13);Fujian Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center for First Aid and Rehabilitation in Orthopaedic Trauma(2020Y2014)

Abstract:

Objective To explore the effect of virtual reality on upper limb function in stroke patients through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Methods From September, 2021 to March, 2023, 80 stroke patients in the Fuzhou Second General Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 40) and experimental group (n = 40). Both groups received routine rehabilitation, while the experimental group received virtual reality training additionally, for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) before treatment, after treatment and after four-week follow-up; and they were scaned with DTI to measure the fractional anisotropy (FA) and relative anisotropy (RA) of cerebral peduncle and posterior limb of inner capsule of the affected side before and after treatment.

Results Two cases dropped in each group. The FMA-UE and ARAT scores increased in both groups after treatment and follow-up (F > 2.790, P < 0.001), and increased more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.297, P < 0.05). FA and RA in the posterior limb of inner capsule increased in both groups after treatment (t > 21.013, P < 0.001), and increased more in the experimental group (t > 2.006, P < 0.05). The d-value of FA of the posterior limb of internal capsule before and after treatment (ΔFA) was positively correlated with the d-value of FMA-UE score (r > 0.362, P < 0.05) in both groups, the ΔFA of the posterior limb of internal capsule was positively correlated with the d-value of ARAT score (r = 0.459, P < 0.01).

Conclusion Virtual reality training can promote the recovery of upper limb function in stroke patients, which may associate with the conductivity of posterior limb of inner capsule.

Key words: stroke, upper limb, virtual reality, diffusion tensor imaging

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