EFFECT OF VIRTUAL REALITY-ASSISTED NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION ON MOTOR AND COGNITIVE OUTCOMES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background
Neurological disorders may result in motor impairment and cognitive dysfunction, which can affect
functional recovery and participation in rehabilitation. Conventional neurological rehabilitation
commonly involves strengthening, balance training, gait training, coordination exercises and functional
task practice. Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as an adjunctive rehabilitation approach that provides
an interactive environment for repetitive and task-oriented practice.
Objective
To compare the effects of Virtual Reality-assisted rehabilitation combined with conventional
physiotherapy with conventional neurological rehabilitation alone on motor and cognitive outcomes.
Methods
A total of 60 participants undergoing neurological rehabilitation were included in the study and divided
into two groups of 30 participants each. Group A received Virtual Reality-assisted neurological
rehabilitation in addition to conventional physiotherapy, whereas Group B received conventional
neurological rehabilitation alone. Motor function was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment
(FMA), while cognitive status was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
Results
The mean FMA score increased from 63.93 ± 4.98 to 72.60 ± 6.27 in Group A, with a mean change of
8.67 ± 1.42 points, whereas Group B increased from 64.13 ± 4.71 to 64.63 ± 5.74, with a mean change
of 0.50 ± 1.96 points. The MoCA score increased from 22.57 ± 1.38 to 24.47 ± 2.15 in Group A,
representing a mean change of 1.90 ± 0.88 points, compared with an increase from 22.60 ± 1.33 to
23.07 ± 2.30 in Group B, representing a mean change of 0.47 ± 1.63 points.
Conclusion
Participants receiving Virtual Reality-assisted rehabilitation combined with conventional
physiotherapy demonstrated greater improvement in motor and cognitive outcomes than those
receiving conventional neurological rehabilitation alone. The findings suggest that Virtual Reality may
be a useful adjunct to conventional neurological rehabilitation.