Virtual Reality and OT

Whether or not you are personally a fan of virtually reality—all OTs should be following the developing research on this technology.

In this episode, we’ll discuss an article where the authors explore the use of virtual reality (VR) systems that are built specifically for rehab versus general-use VR, like the Nintendo Wii and Xbox.

The authors really focus on the active ingredients that seem to make VR-based rehab effective. And, they put forth the principles of neurorehab that underlie successful rehab. (They also specifically look at UE motor recovery after stroke, so this all feels so relevant to OT.)

After we review the article, we’ll welcome to the podcast our guest, Christopher Gaskins, MS, OTR/L, CSRS (and Neuroscience and Cognitive Science PhD Candidate) to talk about the research—and what it all means for your OT practice.

1. You will be able to identify the principles of neuro rehab that undergird the delivery of virtual reality based rehabilitation.

2. You will be able to recognize which outcomes are most likely to be impacted by VR-based stroke rehab (per the research).

• Intro

• Breakdown and analysis of journal article

  • Why do we need tech like this in the first place?

  • Where does the research on VR for rehab stand?

  • Why has the VR-based rehab evidence been inconclusive?

  • What was the intent of this study?

  • What were their methods?

  • What were their results?

  • Discussion

  • Conclusions

  • Takeaways for OT practitioners

• Discussion on practical implications for OTs (with Christopher Gaskins)

  1. How did you first find OT?

  2. What drew you into neuro OT (and an interest in rehab tech?)

  3. What were your impressions of the article?

  4. Did you agree with the motor learning principles that they put forth?

  5. Overall the interventions we look at that have a high level of evidence behind them take place in the patient’s natural environments. How do we reconcile this with VR? Should we be pursuing AR instead?

  6. What role do you see for non-specific VR in OT?

  7. What role do you see for therapy specific VR in OT?

  8. Of all of the technologies coming out, where do you rank VR among the ones with the most promise?

Primary

• Effect of Specific Over Nonspecific VR-Based Rehabilitation on Poststroke Motor Recovery: A Systematic Meta-analysis

Additional

• Applications of head-mounted displays for virtual reality in adult physical rehabilitation: A scoping review

• Efficacy assessment of virtual reality therapy for neuromotor rehabilitation in home environment: A systematic review

See VR Technology for Rehab

We are keeping an updated list of VR for rehab on our post Occupational Therapy Tech Tools.

It is the policy of OT Potential to disclose any financial and non-financial interest the provider or instructor may have in a product or service mentioned during an activity. This is to ensure that the audience is made aware of any bias of the speaker.

OT Potential pays guest speakers an honorarium for their participation, either directly or to an institution of the speaker's choosing at their request. We invite guests whose expertise often comes from practices, programs, or building products in their field. Where a speaker has a financial interest in the subject of a course, we disclose it below so you can weigh it for yourself.

OT Potential's interest in this topic: We have no financial stake in this topic.

Speaker interests: Christopher Gaskins is CEO of Neurosuite, a neurorehabilitation company that provides clinical services and health technology consultation.