Virtual rehabilitation use for paretic upper limb for individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke

Abstract

Stroke causes numerous deficiencies. The aim of this study was evaluate the effects of virtual rehabilitation on chronic hemiparetic upper limb functionality with application of Motor Activity Log-MAL, Wolf Motor Function Test-WMFT and Abilhand. Quality of life was assessed by Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale-SSQOL-Brazil. A single case study (ABA type) was done. Two participants were evaluated in the baseline, during the training using virtual-reality with X-box360Kinect, and in followup. About MAL, the participant 1 improved in the followup, while participant 2 remained. For Abilhand, the data remained stable for both. In the participant 1 WMFT obtained improvement in the task 7 (weight in box) and task 14 (prehension). The participant 2 acquired a constant behavior in relation to the same tasks, while the results related to qualitative aspects, remained stable for both. Virtual rehabilitation contributed for greater functional use of the upper limb and better quality of life.