Music-based virtual reality upper limb stroke rehabilitation (pilot trial)

Who it’s for: Survivors of stroke
What it involves: Test a new therapy
Where: In-person SA

Summary

Researchers from Flinders University and UniSA are developing an upper limb rehabilitation program in virtual reality to improve the quality of life for survivors of stroke. They are testing if combining music and virtual reality can improve recovery outcomes.

You will be one of the first people to formally trial this new technology. You will help determine if the therapy improves health aspects including upper limb function, mood and cognition.

Eligibility

• Aged 18 years or older
• Experienced a stroke at least 6 months ago
• Be currently experiencing a loss in function in one arm and/or hand due to a stroke (hemiparesis, and have not made a full recovery)
• Have only experienced one stroke (not multiple strokes or brain injury)
• Able to understand English
• Able to safely use virtual reality
• Be able to hear music.

Activity

The virtual reality therapy program incorporates movements and exercises informed by stroke rehabilitation guidelines and recommendations. Additionally, feedback from co-design sessions undertaken by survivors of stroke, and health, research, and industry professionals has contributed to the version being tested in this study.

Participation involves:

• Completing a total of 40 hours of the virtual reality therapy program (1 hour per day, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks)
• Wearing a wrist-worn activity monitor continuously for 12 weeks
• Completing a series of 2 hours assessments at 4 different time points
• Participating in a semi-structured interview.

Participants must be located in (or able to get to) Adelaide, South Australia, to facilitate local assessments and home-based visits from the research team.

Documents

Participant information sheet [PDF 418 KB]

Contact

For more information, please contact Mr Thomas Beltrame
Emai: thomas.beltrame@flinders.edu.au
Phone: 08 8432 4043