Augmented reality for stroke rehabilitation during COVID-19.
Zhen-Qun Yang, Dan Du, Xiao-Yong Wei and 1 others
PMID 36482468WHAT IT FOUND
Chronic stroke survivors who replaced part of their usual therapy with augmented reality training showed significant improvements in upper and lower limb motor function.
However, walking ability did not improve significantly, and balance gains were inconsistent between home and centre-based groups.
Key findings
01Participants showed significant improvements in upper and lower extremity motor function and balance compared to baseline.
02There was no significant difference in functional ambulation (walking ability) after the training.
03Integrating augmented reality training reduced the required human therapist effort by 33.19% across all participants.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
High attrition rate due to pandemic-related service suspensions and quarantine, with only 39 of the initially allocated participants completing the per-protocol analysis. The study population was selected based on the ability to use the AR system independently, which excluded patients with severe mobility impairments (baseline Functional Ambulation Category < 4), limiting generalizability to more disabled patients. The lack of significant improvement in walking ability may be due to the ceiling effect in the enrolled participants, who already had relatively high ambulation levels. Balance training was inconsistently effective in the home group, potentially due to therapist safety concerns leading to reduced intensity of balance exercises at home. The study was designed as a feasibility trial with a small sample size, which limits the certainty of the findings regarding efficacy.
Declared interests
The authors declare no competing interests. The study was supported by non-U.S. government funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that augmented reality training will improve walking independence in chronic stroke survivors. The primary outcome for functional ambulation showed no significant difference, and the study participants were already able to walk with minimal assistance, excluding those with severe mobility deficits.