0
0
University of Michigan Health researchers introduce an innovative approach to mirror therapy, using virtual reality technology to enhance rehabilitation for stroke survivors.
Stroke survivors often face significant challenges in regaining motor function and balance in weakened limbs. Traditional rehabilitation methods, such as mirror therapy, have proven effective in reawakening the brain’s neuroplasticity, the ability to form new neural connections. Mirror therapy uses visual illusion to engage the weaker limb, where patients observe their stronger limb completing exercises in front of a mirror, tricking the brain into thinking the weaker limb is moving as well.
Now, researchers at the University of Michigan Health, led by Dr. Chandramouli Krishnan, PT, Ph.D., are taking this rehabilitation technique to the next level by integrating virtual reality (VR) into the process. This groundbreaking research, published in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, introduces NeuRRoVR, a virtual reality-based system designed specifically to aid stroke recovery.
What is NeuRRoVR?
NeuRRoVR is a state-of-the-art technology developed at U-M Health, combining virtual reality headsets with motion sensors to create interactive rehabilitation games. These games are designed to help stroke survivors achieve therapy goals by targeting both weakened and healthy limbs in ways that engage the brain and promote neuroplasticity.
The system works by allowing patients to use a VR headset and motion sensors placed on their body to participate in various rehabilitation games. For example, one game involves controlling a virtual ball that moves up and down based on the patient’s hand movements. When the patient performs the correct movement, the ball rises and turns green, providing instant feedback. Another game challenges patients to balance as they walk along a virtual tightrope, with motion sensors tracking their foot movements to help them improve stability without the risk of falling.
Therapists have the ability to customize the games’ difficulty to match individual progress, adjusting the visual cues to encourage the brain to focus on the weaker side and promote further recovery. By tricking the brain into perceiving improvement, NeuRRoVR enhances neuroplasticity, potentially speeding up the rehabilitation process.
Impact on Stroke Survivors
The impact of NeuRRoVR on stroke survivors has been profound. Patients report improvements in motor skills, balance, and overall neural function. According to Dr. Krishnan, physical therapists and patients alike have provided positive feedback. “Patients can identify with their avatar, especially since we can make it look like them. The more they see the avatar as an extension of their own body, the higher the chance of brain excitability,” he explained.
This technology also holds emotional significance for the research team, as it was initially pioneered by their late colleague, Daniel Kortemeyer, who passed away in 2020. “Daniel was passionate about this research, and we are honored to continue his work and further develop the technology,” said Dr. Krishnan.
The Future of Virtual Reality in Stroke Rehabilitation
The NeuRRoVR system is currently being tested at the U-M Health Canton Health Center, and researchers are exploring how it can be incorporated into diverse physical therapy treatment plans. While virtual reality is known to increase brain excitability, the team aims to understand how varying levels of exercise complexity and sensory feedback influence recovery.
“As we continue our research, we hope virtual reality can become an accessible tool for physical therapy teams and patients alike,” said Dr. Krishnan. “Our goal is to make this technology available to more stroke survivors and improve rehabilitation outcomes through cutting-edge solutions.”
With ongoing research and development, NeuRRoVR could become a cornerstone in rehabilitation for stroke survivors, enhancing recovery and offering new hope for those affected by neurological impairments.
For more information, visit the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (2024) publication by Trevor A. Norris et al., Shaping corticospinal pathways in virtual reality: effects of task complexity and sensory feedback during mirror therapy in neurologically intact individuals (DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01454-2).
