Virtual reality-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with Hemiplegia: A pilot study

Background: More than half of stroke survivors suffer from movement disorders after receiving routine rehabilitation treatment. Evidence suggests that virtual reality (VR)-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation is a promising approach for improving motor function recovery. Methods: A p...

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Main Authors: Lijing Chen, Huanzhi Zhu, Jing Wang, Rongrong Lu, Jing Tian, Bei Wu, Jing Chu, Juan Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Aging and Health Research
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667032125000149
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author Lijing Chen
Huanzhi Zhu
Jing Wang
Rongrong Lu
Jing Tian
Bei Wu
Jing Chu
Juan Li
author_facet Lijing Chen
Huanzhi Zhu
Jing Wang
Rongrong Lu
Jing Tian
Bei Wu
Jing Chu
Juan Li
author_sort Lijing Chen
collection DOAJ
description Background: More than half of stroke survivors suffer from movement disorders after receiving routine rehabilitation treatment. Evidence suggests that virtual reality (VR)-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation is a promising approach for improving motor function recovery. Methods: A pilot open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted to explore the feasibility and preliminary effects of VR-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with hemiplegia. We enrolled 42 stroke patients with hemiplegia, 21 received VR-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation and conventional rehabilitation treatment as the intervention, and 21 only received conventional rehabilitation treatment as the control. Results: Forty participants completed the trial. We found a statistically significant difference in lower limb motor function scores from baseline to week 4 between the intervention and control group (mean difference (MD): 6.5 vs 3.3, p<0.001). At week 4, participants in the intervention group demonstrated significant enhancements in balancing function, walking ability, activities of daily living, and quality of life (p<0.05). However, the intervention group did not show a significant improvement in global cognitive function compared to the control group (MD: 3.8 vs 3.7, p = 0.873). No adverse events were observed during the trial. Conclusion: The VR-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation showed promise in improving motor function, activities of daily living, and quality of life in stroke patients with hemiplegia. These preliminary findings support the feasibility of this approach and highlight the need for large-scale studies to validate its effectiveness.
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spelling doaj-art-cb15a9a338774afca9942a8671f0f2e12025-08-20T02:32:33ZengElsevierAging and Health Research2667-03212025-06-015210023310.1016/j.ahr.2025.100233Virtual reality-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with Hemiplegia: A pilot studyLijing Chen0Huanzhi Zhu1Jing Wang2Rongrong Lu3Jing Tian4Bei Wu5Jing Chu6Juan Li7Naval Medical University, School of Nursing, Shanghai, PR China; Department of Nursing Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, PR ChinaNaval Medical University, School of Nursing, Shanghai, PR China; Department of Anesthesiology, The 924th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Guilin, Guangxi, 541000, PR ChinaCollege of Health and Human Services, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USADepartment of Rehabilitation Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, PR ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, PR ChinaRory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, NY, NY, USANaval Medical University, School of Nursing, Shanghai, PR China; Correspondence author at. Naval Medical University, School of Nursing, No. 800 Xiangyin Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, PR China.Department of Nursing Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; National Medical Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, PR China; Correspondence author at. Department of Nursing Huashan Hospital Fudan University, No.521Huashan Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, 200400, PR China.Background: More than half of stroke survivors suffer from movement disorders after receiving routine rehabilitation treatment. Evidence suggests that virtual reality (VR)-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation is a promising approach for improving motor function recovery. Methods: A pilot open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted to explore the feasibility and preliminary effects of VR-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with hemiplegia. We enrolled 42 stroke patients with hemiplegia, 21 received VR-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation and conventional rehabilitation treatment as the intervention, and 21 only received conventional rehabilitation treatment as the control. Results: Forty participants completed the trial. We found a statistically significant difference in lower limb motor function scores from baseline to week 4 between the intervention and control group (mean difference (MD): 6.5 vs 3.3, p<0.001). At week 4, participants in the intervention group demonstrated significant enhancements in balancing function, walking ability, activities of daily living, and quality of life (p<0.05). However, the intervention group did not show a significant improvement in global cognitive function compared to the control group (MD: 3.8 vs 3.7, p = 0.873). No adverse events were observed during the trial. Conclusion: The VR-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation showed promise in improving motor function, activities of daily living, and quality of life in stroke patients with hemiplegia. These preliminary findings support the feasibility of this approach and highlight the need for large-scale studies to validate its effectiveness.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667032125000149StrokeHemiplegiaVirtual reality technologyRehabilitationRobotMotor function
spellingShingle Lijing Chen
Huanzhi Zhu
Jing Wang
Rongrong Lu
Jing Tian
Bei Wu
Jing Chu
Juan Li
Virtual reality-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with Hemiplegia: A pilot study
Aging and Health Research
Stroke
Hemiplegia
Virtual reality technology
Rehabilitation
Robot
Motor function
title Virtual reality-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with Hemiplegia: A pilot study
title_full Virtual reality-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with Hemiplegia: A pilot study
title_fullStr Virtual reality-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with Hemiplegia: A pilot study
title_full_unstemmed Virtual reality-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with Hemiplegia: A pilot study
title_short Virtual reality-based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with Hemiplegia: A pilot study
title_sort virtual reality based robotic training for lower limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with hemiplegia a pilot study
topic Stroke
Hemiplegia
Virtual reality technology
Rehabilitation
Robot
Motor function
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667032125000149
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