EXERCISE SET FOR REHABILITATION VR APPLICATIONS AND HAND TRAINERS AFTER NEURAL INJURY

Abstract

Aim. This study aims to develop a set of exercises for interactive applications and rehabilitation devices for patients with central hand paresis. Materials and methods. This study analyzes exercises from E. Taub’s occupational therapy used for the rehabilitation of 23 patients (56.5 % women; mean age 46.6 ± 20.7 years) requiring active post-stroke recovery of hand function. A set of six commonly used exercises was compiled. Its effectiveness and applicability were tested over 10 days in 10 patients. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Frenchay Arm Test were performed at baseline and post-intervention. Results. The most effective exercises for rehabilitation devices and VR applications were (1) grasping an object and placing it on a height-adjustable shelf; (2) turning a cylinder; (3) turning over dominoes; (4) opening/closing a door; (5) bringing food to the mouth; and (6) removing wet rice grains from the palm using the fingers. Our simulation study with healthy individuals and patients demonstrated that these exercises improve hand function test scores, train all essential movements, produce quantifiable results with a wide range, and offer both implicit and explicit feedback. Conclusion. This study provides a set of exercises and a training mode suitable for digital neurorehabilitation applications. Developers are advised to design devices based on neuroplasticity principles, allow adjustable difficulty, provide both explicit and implicit feedback, ensure both specific and varied exercises, and prioritize grasp pattern formation over individual movements.