Record Status This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database. Citation Mundy L, Hiller JE. Rehabilitation of stroke patients using virtual reality games. Adelaide: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment (AHTA). Horizon Scanning Prioritising Summary Volume 27. 2010 Authors' conclusions There is limited published information on trials and studies which examined the use of virtual reality for the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Those included in this summary are a high level of evidence but involved small numbers of patients who underwent rehabilitation with virtual reality for only a short period of time. Some patient benefits were observed especially in motor functioning rather than motor recovery. Larger, well-designed randomised trials to investigate the benefits and the potential risks of introducing virtual reality therapy into patient rehabilitation are required, especially to identify those patients who would benefit most from this therapy. The benefits of virtual reality therapy is that it can be delivered at home or in a therapeutic environment and can be delivered at low cost, however caution should used in the introduction of this therapy in an ad-hoc manner without evidence to support its beneficial effects.The evidence assessed is high-level but limited in amount. However, further studies reporting long-term outcomes are required to ascertain the potential for clinical benefit and to assess whether these benefits are maintained over time. Therefore HealthPACT does not intend to further review this technology. Indexing Status Subject indexing assigned by CRD MeSH Humans; Rehabilitation; Stroke /rehabilitation; Therapy, Computer-Assisted; User-Computer Interface; Video Games Language Published English Country of organisation Australia English summary An English language summary is available. Address for correspondence Adelaide Health Technology Assessment, University of Adelaide, Discipline of Public Health, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, Mail Drop DX650545, SA 5005 Adelaide Australia Email: tracy.merlin@adelaide.edu.au AccessionNumber 32010001667 Date abstract record published 15/12/2010 |