NCT03582397

Virtual Reality Mirror Therapy for Stroke

Completed NA Last updated 14 October 2019

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Virtual Reality Mirror Therapy in Stroke in 11 participants. Completed in 27 July 2018.

Timeline

16 October 2017

Primary endpoint
27 July 2018

27 July 2018

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Columbia University
Phase	NA
Status	Completed
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	na
Design	single group
Masking	none
Primary purpose	device feasibility
Enrollment	11
Start date	16 October 2017
Primary completion	27 July 2018
Estimated completion	27 July 2018
Sites	1 location across United States

Drugs / interventions tested

• Virtual Reality Mirror Therapy

Conditions studied

• Stroke — all drugs for Stroke →

Sponsor

Columbia University

Who can join

Adults 18 to 85, any sex, with Stroke. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Mirror box therapy is a treatment option that has shown promise for people with difficulty moving their arm after a brain injury, such as stroke. During mirror box therapy, people place their affected arm inside a box, where they are unable to see it. They then focus their attention on the outside of the box, which has been fitted with a mirror. The mirror reflects the movements of their intact hand and makes it appear that both hands are moving normally. Research has shown that this type of therapy can help people recover some use of the arm.

This study is designed to examine a new type of treatment, which uses a virtual reality headset (Oculus Rift) to recreate this effect in a virtual environment. Up to twenty people who have had a stroke and now have difficulty using an arm (Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity range 10-50) will be asked to come in for four weeks of treatment, during which they will perform a set of movements and games using the virtual reality platform, while focusing on the image of their affected arm. Treatment will include two fifteen minute sessions, three times/week for a period of four weeks. Participants will complete pre-testing, which will provide a baseline measure of performance, and post-testing, to see if the treatment has been well-tolerated and has had any impact on their motor performance.

This research is important because it may demonstrate the usefulness of a new treatment method for people who have suffered a stroke, or generally demonstrate that virtual reality platforms may be useful treatment tools for stroke survivors. It may also provide a relatively low-cost and motivating rehabilitation tool for use in the hospital or home environment outside of therapy hours.

Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Immersive Virtual Reality Mirror Therapy for Upper Limb Recovery After Stroke: A Pilot Study.
   Weber LM, Nilsen DM, Gillen G, Yoon J, et al · · 2019 · cited 78× · PMID 30964752 · DOI 10.1097/phm.0000000000001190