Virtual reality and haptics as a training device for movement rehabilitation after stroke: a single-case study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether training in a virtual environment with a haptic device will improve motor function in the left hemiparetic arm of a stroke subject. DESIGN Single case, A-B-A design. SETTING University hospital research laboratory. PARTICIPANT A man in his late fifties (right handed), with a right-hemisphere lesion that caused a deficit in the left upper extremity. INTERVENTION The subject trained with a 3-dimensional computer game during a 4-week period that consisted of twelve 90-minute sessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Three tests (Purdue pegboard test, dynamometer hand-grip strength, upper-extremity test) and a subjective interview were used to evaluate motor performance. RESULTS Improvements were found in fine manual dexterity, grip force, and motor control of the affected upper extremity. The subject reported that there was a change in his day-to-day use of the upper extremity and that he was able to use it in activities that were previously impossible for him. CONCLUSIONS Training with virtual reality and haptics can promote motor rehabilitation.