ENHANCING STROKE REHABILITATION THROUGH VIRTUAL REALITY-ASSISTED PHYSIOTHERAPY: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL AT CLINICAL HEALTH & WELLNESS PHYSIO REHAB CENTER

Abstract

Background: Stroke remains a leading cause of adult disability, resulting in significant impairments in motor function, balance, and independence. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in post-stroke recovery, and recent advancements in technology—especially Virtual Reality (VR)— offer innovative rehabilitation solutions. Objective: To investigate and compare the effects of Virtual Reality-assisted physiotherapy with conventional physiotherapy on motor function, balance, and daily living activities in stroke patients aged 35 years at Clinical Health & Wellness Physio Rehab Center. Design and Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with a sample size of 32 stroke patients aged approximately 35 years. Patients were divided equally into two groups: Group A (Experimental: VR-assisted therapy) and Group B (Control: conventional therapy). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25. Results: SPSS analysis revealed significant within-group improvements in both groups (p < 0.001), with Group A showing superior gains in FMA (Δ+13.6), BBS (Δ+8.7), and MBI (Δ+16.2). Between-group differences were also statistically significant (p < 0.05), favoring VR-assisted therapy. Conclusion: Virtual Reality-assisted physiotherapy proved more effective than conventional therapy in improving motor and functional outcomes in stroke patients. VR-based rehabilitation should be considered as a promising adjunct to conventional stroke rehabilitation.