Effectiveness of commercially available gaming devices in upper limb stroke rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: Hemiparesis of the upper extremity is estimated to affect 50-75% of individuals who experience a stroke. Recently the use of commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) gaming technology has shown promise for providing interactive rehabilitation. The existing evidence however, has not yet been reviewed systematically to determine the effectiveness of such gaming devices in upper limb (UL) rehabilitation post-stroke.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of COTS gaming technology for UL rehabilitation in post-stroke patients and to assess the feasibility, and effect on quality of life (QoL).

Methods: A systematic search of the databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Pubmed, SPORTDiscus, and SCOPUS was conducted. Quality scoring of the included articles was based on the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) quality assessment tool for quantitative studies.

Results: In total, eight studies were included for review. The commercial gaming devices were found to be feasible for use among post-stroke individuals. The devices were found to be effective as an adjunct to conventional stroke rehabilitation, and were feasible in relation to time taken, cost-effectiveness, safety, and the positive effect on the QoL of the stroke population.

Conclusions: As the findings of the current review are primarily based on lower levels of research, it is not possible to make recommendations regarding the use of these devices in clinical practice. However, findings of the included studies did indicate that rehabilitation including gaming technology had a positive effect on the UL rehabilitation of stroke patients