Disclosures: Mihir Jani: No financial relationships or conflicts of interest

Objective: The objective of this review is to investigate how immersive virtual reality (IVR) and non-immersive virtual reality (NIVR) can be used as modalities for stroke rehabilitation.

Design: Pubmed was the article database used for this review. Keywords used in the non-immersive virtual reality search included “stroke rehabilitation,” “non-immersive,” and “virtual reality.” There were 17 articles discovered. The exclusion criteria filtered articles that were older than five years and not in English providing us with 11 articles. Keywords used in the immersive virtual reality search included “stroke rehabilitation,” “immersive,” and “virtual reality.” There were 45 articles discovered. The exclusion criteria were the same as per the previous database search and provided us with 28 articles. Setting : This review took place at Cooper University Hospital. Participants : N/a

Interventions: N/A

Main Outcome Measures: N/a

Results: The main use of NIVR is as an add on to conventional therapy for increased compliance for rehabilitation. IVR based therapy showed greater improvements in upper extremity motor function compared to control groups and promoted neuroplastic changes that improved motor and cognitive function. Both NIVR and IVR showed increased engagement with stroke rehabilitation leading to increased participation and compliance. Conclusions: This technology can benefit patients in the acute, subacute, and chronic phases of stroke. Repetitive, goal-oriented tasks in a stimulating environment helps promote neuroplastic changes. Guidelines for optimal dosing, frequency, and intensity of virtual reality therapy in the setting of rehabilitation have yet to be determined. More research needs to be done on NIVR and IVR as it becomes a growing modality for stroke rehabilitation in the future.

Level of Evidence: Level V

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/benefits-of-immersive-vs-non-immersive-virtual-reality-modalities-in-stroke-rehabilitation-a-literature-review/