The Use of Virtual Reality Applications in Stroke Rehabilitation for Older Adults : Technology Enhanced Relearning

• After stroke rehabilitation is a long-term relearning process that can be divided into cognitive relearning, speech relearning and motoric relearning. Today with an aging population it it interesting to look at technology enhanced and game-based solutions that can facilitate independent living for older adults. The aim of the study was to identify and categorise recently conducted research in the field of virtual reality applications for older adults’ relearning after stroke. This study was conducted as a systematic literature review with results categorised in a pre-defined framework. Findings indicate that virtual reality-based stroke rehabilitation is an emerging field that can renew after stroke rehabilitation. Most found studies were on stroke patients’ motoric and game-based relearning, and with less studies on speech rehabilitation. The conclusion is that virtual reality systems should not replace the existing stroke rehabilitation, but rather to have the idea of combining and extending the traditional relearning process where human-to-human interaction is essential. Finally, there are no virtual reality applications that can fit all stroke patients’ needs, but a thoughtful selection of exercises that matches each individual user would have a potential to enhance the current relearning therapy for older adults after stroke.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Information Systems (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Annan teknik -- Interaktionsteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Other Engineering and Technologies -- Interaction Technologies (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Stroke Rehabilitation

Virtual Reality

e-Health

Technology Enhanced Relearning

Older Adults

Information Systems

Informatik

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