NCT05903235

Mixed Reality and Virtual Reality Technology With Mirror Therapy for Stroke Rehabilitation

Technology-based and Activity-based Design of Mirror Therapy Principles: Two Mixed Reality and Virtual Reality Mirrored-hand Systems for Stroke Rehabilitation

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The specific study aims will be: 1. To design and develop the hardware and software of the VR+MT and MR+MT systems. 2. To test the feasibility of the VR+MT and MR+MT systems from the patients and to collect the feedback of users with respect to their experiences. 3. To examine the treatment effects of VR+MT and MR+MT compared to the traditional MT (i.e., control group) in patients with stroke by conducting a randomized controlled trial. 4. To identify who will be the possible good responders to VR+MT and MR+MT based on their baseline motor functions and mental imagery abilities.

Detailed description

Phase Ⅰ: Design and Development of the VR+MT and MR+MT Systems \& Feasibility Study Sixteen patients with stroke will be recruited in this phase Ⅰ study. During the pilot testing, each stroke patient will use each of the VR+MT and MR+MT systems with the assistance of a researcher holding the occupational therapist certification. The order of the feasibility test of the 2 systems will be counterbalanced across the patients. At the end of the feasibility study of each system, the patients will be asked to complete the System Usability Scale, Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire, and a self-designed questionnaire to assess the user experience and perspective about these new systems and their view of its suitability for stroke patients. Phase Ⅱ: Validation and Comparison of Clinical Treatment Efficacy This three-arm, single-blind, randomized controlled trial will investigate the treatment effects among the 3 groups of VR+MT, MR+MT, and traditional MT. An estimated 45 patients with stroke will be recruited to participate in this phase Ⅱ study. Each participant will receive a total of 15 training sessions (40 minutes per session) within 5 weeks. Clinical outcome measures will be conducted at baseline, at immediately after treatment, and at 1 month follow-up after treatment.

Conditions

• Stroke
• Cerebrovascular Disorders
• Central Nervous System Diseases

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Virtual Reality-based Mirror Therapy (VR+MT)	In this VR+MT group, the patients will be instructed to perform the unilateral movements of the non-affected upper limb simultaneously while observing the animated hand as mirroring reflection of the affected hand within the immersive environment, which presented on the goggle via the VR+MT system.
BEHAVIORAL	Mixed Reality-based Mirror Therapy (MR+MT)	In the MR+MT group, the patients will be instructed to perform the unilateral movements of the non-affected upper limb concurrently meanwhile watching the real-time mirroring image reflection of the non-affected upper limb's movements of the patients captured, transformed, and superimposed on the affected upper limb, which projected to the screen from the front side via the MR+MT system.
BEHAVIORAL	Traditional Mirror Therapy (MT)	In the traditional MT group, patients will be instructed to perform the unilateral movements of the non-affected upper limb at the same time while watching the mirror of a mirror box placed in front of the patient's midsagittal plane, in which the illusory reflection of the non-affected upper limb appears as if it were the another affected upper limb.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-03-13
• Primary completion: 2026-07-31
• Completion: 2026-07-31
• First posted: 2023-06-15
• Last updated: 2026-03-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Taiwan