Experience of an upper limb training program with a non-immersive virtual reality system in patients after stroke: A qualitative study
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Date
2017-03-16Author
Lehmann, Isabelle
Baer, Gill
Schuster-Amft, Corina
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Lehmann, I., Baer, G. & Schuster-Amft, C. (2020) Experience of an upper limb training program with a non-immersive virtual reality system in patients after stroke: A qualitative study. Physiotherapy, 107, pp. 317-326.
Abstract
Objectives The YouGrabber (YG) is a new virtual reality training system that focuses
on unilateral and bimanual activities. This nested study was part of a larger
multicentre randomised controlled trial and explored experiences of people with
chronic stroke during a 4 week intensive upper limb training with YG.
Design: A qualitative design using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. A
phenomenological descriptive approach was used, with data coded, categorized and
summarized using a thematic analysis. Topics investigated included: the experience
of YG training, perceived impact of YG training on arm function, and the role of the
treating therapist.
Results: Five people were interviewed (1 female, age range 55-75yrs, 1-6yrs poststroke).
Seven main themes were identified: (1) general experience, (2) expectations,
(3) feedback, (4) arm function, (5) physiotherapist's role, (6) fatigue, (7) motivation.
Key experiences reported included feelings of motivation and satisfaction, with
positive factors identified as challenge, competition, fun and effort. The YG training
appeared to trigger greater effort, however fatigue was experienced at the end of the
training. Overall, patients described positive changes in upper limb motor function
and activity level, e.g. automatic arm use. While the opportunity for self-practice was
appreciated, input from the therapist at the start of the intervention was deemed
important for safety and confidence.
Conclusions: Reported experiences were mostly positive and the participants were
motivated to practice intensively. They enjoyed the challenging component of the
games.