VIRTUAL REALITY BASED TREATMENTS IN CLIENTS AFTER STROKE FROM THERAPISTS`PERSPECTIVE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Background: Virtual Reality (VR) as a clinical approach has become a new component in rehabilitation in clients after stroke over the last decade (Lange et al. 2012). From therapists` perspective the YouGrabber training system... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Virtual Reality (VR) as a clinical approach has become a new component in rehabilitation in clients after stroke over the last decade (Lange et al. 2012). From therapists` perspective the YouGrabber training system was evaluated in a stroke rehabilitation setting as an example of VR technology.
Method:
The aim of this qualitative study was (i) to provide an overview of therapists` experiences and expectations with a VR training system and (ii) to present therapists` prospects of VR in rehabilitation of clients after stroke by using the YouGrabber training system. Experiences in clinical practise were evaluated by conducting three focus groups with occupational therapists and physiotherapists specialised in stroke rehabilitation in three neurological rehabilitation centres in Switzerland. Data were analysed by using qualitative content analysis based on a phenomenological approach.
Results:
Four main themes were extracted: Relationship between therapists, clients, devices, future prospects and developments of VR in neurorehabilitation. Benefits like motor learning principles and client motivation in VR-based training for a future health care model were discussed.
Conclusion:
Findings support interdisciplinary collaboration in development of VR technology and the VR implementation in clinical practice. VR as treatment tool is complementing conventional approaches in rehabilitation after stroke.
Application to Practice:
Therapists experience in VR technology provides useful information for device development in game and hardware characteristics including recommendations for implementation in clinical practice. Client motivation and motor learning principles support the application of VR technology. Therapists` future prospects of VR application indicate openness for VR based health care models.