Neurocognition and ­Action - Biomechanics

Adaptiv virtuelle Rehabilitation bei Verletzungen der oberen Extremität - Eine Machbarkeitsstudie

Project duration: 012/2020 - 11/2022
Project funding: 120.786 Euro

Overview:

Virtual-reality applications in digital medicine are a rapidly growing market. In combination with 3D motion analysis, these innovative systems are the new frontier of musculoskeletal rehabilitation. This project examines the experiences of both patients and therapists during the introduction of an individualized and adaptive virtual-reality rehabilitation protocol for the upper extremities.
The project "Adaptiv virtuelle Rehabilitation bei Verletzungen der oberen Extremität - Eine Machbarkeitsstudie" has been sponsored for a total of € 120,786 by the new Faculty of Medicine at Bielefeld University through the funding line "Anschubsfond Medizinische Förschung" aimed at promoting research collaborations in the most innovative topics within the field of medicine. This multi-disciplinary project will run for 24 months starting December 2020 and will involve several cooperation partners from the University of Bielefeld and Bielefeld area including the EvKB Clinic for Traumatology and Orthopedics (Prof. Dr. med. Vordemvenne), the Faculty of Sports Science and Psychology (Prof. Dr. Schack) and the Faculty of Health Sciences (Prof. Dr. Dockweiler), the center for outpatient rehabilitation (ZAR; Dr. med. Conrad), and the orthopedic practice in Bültmannshof (Dr. med. Elsner).

As a part of this project, 40 patients with injuries of the upper extremities will undergo a 4-week conventional rehabilitation or virtual-reality therapy. At the end of the 2nd and 4th week, the overall functionality of the upper extremity as well as acceptance of the virtual-reality system by both patients and therapists will be evaluated.

Objective:

The primary aim is to investigate the feasibility, user experience, and acceptance of a VR-based rehabilitation system tailored for individuals with upper extremity injuries. This initiative seeks to enhance the conventional rehabilitation process by introducing an individualized and adaptive VR rehabilitation protocol, offering a novel approach to musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Methodology:

The study is conducted as a single-center trial over 16 weeks, involving 40 participants who meet the eligibility criteria, including age over 18 and fluency in German. Participants are divided into two groups: one undergoing conventional rehabilitation and the other experiencing VR therapy. The VR group engages in daily 30-minute exercises across 15 sessions, utilizing a VR system with three specially designed training modules. The project involves the creation of a VR environment tailored for physiotherapy training, incorporating adaptive rehabilitation-like movements, exercise variation schemes, and individualized difficulty levels based on patient performance.

Key Findings:

Our results indicate a positive trend in clinical measures throughout the study, highlighting the potential of VR in rehabilitation, even if statistical significance was not achieved. Qualitative feedback from both rehabilitants and therapists suggests high acceptance and positive user experience with the VR-based training.

Implications:

This pilot study underscores the viability and potential benefits of incorporating VR technology into upper extremity rehabilitation. The innovative approach not only offers a more engaging and personalized rehabilitation experience but also opens avenues for further research to solidify VR's role in medical and rehabilitation settings.

Future Directions:

Given the encouraging findings, the project advocates for expanded research into VR for rehabilitation, aiming to explore broader applications and refine the technology for widespread clinical use. This initiative could significantly impact fields such as robotics, prosthetics, and human-computer interaction, benefiting researchers, practitioners, and technology developers alike.

Collaboration:

The project is a collaborative effort involving Bielefeld University's Faculty of Medicine, the EvKB Clinic for Traumatology and Orthopedics, the Faculty of Sports Science and Psychology, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the center for outpatient rehabilitation (ZAR), and the orthopedic practice in Bültmannshof, showcasing a comprehensive approach to innovative medical research.

Publications

Tokgöz P, Wähnert D, Elsner A, Schack T, Cienfuegos Tellez MA, Conrad J, Vordemvenne T, Dockweiler C. Virtual Reality for Upper Extremity Rehabilitation—A Prospective Pilot Study. Healthcare. 2023; 11(10):1498. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11101498