1. VIRTUAL REALITY PRESCRIPTION REHABILITATION
Cara Strodel & Kelsey Moshier

2. VIRTUAL REALITY ART MEDICINE SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT ARCHITECTURE
Virtual reality works by implementing computer-based technology in order to stimulate the patient’s senses to create an illusion of reality. It must incorporate a vast amount of technologies in order to achieve the goal of realism for the patient--which is an incorporation of perception and cognition.
SPORTS
ARCHITECTURE
MEDICINE
ART
ENTERTAINMENT

3. USES IN PHYSICAL THERAPY
Provides an interactive, motivating atmosphere where intensity and positive feedback can be controlled while retraining the movement
Allows the patient to participate in experiences that are both pleasing and rewarding
Patient and therapist are able to interact with a multisensory and dimension environment that is explored in real time

4. VIRTUAL REALITY AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE

5. HIGHLY IMPACTED PATIENTS
STROKE
PHYSICAL THERAPY REGIMES THAT INCORPORATE VIRTUAL REALITY CAN OPTIMIZE AND ACCELERATE THE RECOVERY PROCESS
ARTHRITIS
AMPUTATION
JOINT REPLACEMENT
DISC DISEASE
BONE INJURIES
WHIPLASH
OSTEOPOROSIS

6. CASE STUDY: MEET BOB
Virtual reality and haptics as a training device for movement rehabilitation after stroke: A single-case study
- Male in his fifties that experienced a R CVA affecting the left upper extremity
- Pt performed twelve 90 minute sessions on a 3-D computer game during a 4 week time period
- UE motor performance evaluated using: Purdue pegboard test, dynamometer hand-grip strength, upper-extremity test
Results
- “Improvements were found in fine manual dexterity, grip force, and motor control of the affected upper extremity. The subject reported that there was a change in his day-to-day use of the upper extremity and that he was able to use it in activities that were previously impossible for him”

7. WHY DID VR WORK? The virtual environment is a controlled environment
Individuals can practice simple tasks or more complex tasks, and they can measure their success in real time
Therapists are also able to track movements for analysis
Important to incorporate haptic force feedback (sense of touch with objects) in order to engage sensory feedback necessary for grasp capability
“Haptic” means interaction with a 3D environment created in a computer, which besides the visual impressions gives the user physical interaction, enabling him to touch the object in the virtual environment

8. RELEVANT RESEARCH ON VIRTUAL REALITY AND REHABILITATION
Use of Virtual Reality for Adjunctive Treatment of Adult Burn Pain During Physical Therapy: A Controlled Study
Ability of VR to distract patients during treatment
3 minutes of PT with no distraction compared to 3 minutes of PT with VR distraction
Results: all patients reported less pain when distracted with VR, and the magnitude of pain reduction by VR was statistically significant
Soldiers Receiving VR for Burn Therapy (
Motor rehabilitation using virtual reality

9. PHYSICAL THERAPIST ROLE
STAY UP TO DATE! Virtual reality is drastically changing and we must be able to properly incorporate this technique into our patient’s exercise program
EDUCATE YOUR PATIENT! Slowly introduce your patient to this specific technique. Fear can be associated with the use of virtual reality, especially if your patients aren’t use to being so mobile
INDIVIDUALIZE THE TREATMENT! Virtual reality allows you to specify the parameters of the exercise and change them to fit your patient’s needs. Be aware of their abilities and their reaction to the program
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ROLE

10. REFERENCES
Agrawal, A. (n.d.). How Virtual Reality Will Change Physical Therapy Forever. Retrieved July 15, 2016, from
Merians, A. S., Jack, D., Boian, R., Tremaine, M., Burdea, G. C., Adamovich, S. V., Recce, M., & Poizner, H. (2002). Virtual Reality–Augmented Rehabilitation for Patients Following Stroke. Physical Therapy, 82(9), Accessed July 15, Retrieved from
Sveistrup, H. (2004). Motor rehabilitation using virtual reality. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 1, 10.
Using virtual reality to advance physical therapy. (n.d.). Retrieved July 15, 2016, from
What is Virtual Reality? - Virtual Reality. (2015). Retrieved July 15, 2016, from