Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30356229›Full record

Trial reportPloS one2018

Effect of a four-week virtual reality-based training versus conventional therapy on upper limb motor function after stroke: A multicenter parallel group randomized trial.

Corina Schuster-Amft, Kynan Eng, Zorica Suica, Irene Thaler, Sandra Signer, Isabelle Lehmann, Ludwig Schmid, Michael A McCaskey, Miura Hawkins, Martin L Verra and 1 more

2 registry-linked trialsOpen access · goldAbstract readComparative StudyMulticenter StudyRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in PloS one, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 27 papers, 9 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
27citing papers in PubMed, 9 pooled it
6.2field-weighted citation impact, top 3% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT01774669 phase3completednot on this map

Effectiveness of the YouGrabber System Using Virtual Reality in Stroke Rehabilitation: a Single Blinded, Randomised Controlled Multi-centre Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorReha RheinfeldenRan2013 to 2016Enrolled54ConditionsCerebrovascular Accident, Hemorrhagic Stroke, StrokeArmsYouGrabber training device from YouRehab Ltd., Therapy (PT, OT)
NCT06308341 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2024, after this paper: background citation

Combined Effects of Virtual Reality and Motor Imagery Techniques With Routine Physical Therapy on Balance, Motor Function and Activities of Daily Living in Post Stroke Patients

TypeinterventionalSponsorRiphah International UniversityRan2024 to 2024Enrolled75ConditionsStrokeArmsVirtual Reality technique + Motor Imagery technique + Routine Physical Therapy, Virtual Reality + Routine Physical Therapy, Motor Imagery +Routine Physical Therapy
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

27 citing papers in PubMed, 9 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 90 citations in OpenAlex.

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  3. Virtual reality for stroke rehabilitation.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2025
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  8. Serious games for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke: a meta-analysis.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation · 2021
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors at 7 institutions in 1 country.

Corina Schuster-AmftResearch Department, Reha Rheinfelden, Rheinfelden, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0003-1120-4423
Kynan EngInstitute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Zorica SuicaResearch Department, Reha Rheinfelden, Rheinfelden, Switzerland.
Irene ThalerDepartment of Physiotherapy, Insel Group, Bern University Hospital, Berne, Switzerland.
Sandra SignerPhysiotherapy Department, Buergerspital Solothurn, Solothurn, Switzerland.
Isabelle LehmannDepartment of Physiotherapy, Insel Group, Bern University Hospital, Berne, Switzerland.
Ludwig SchmidResearch Department, Reha Rheinfelden, Rheinfelden, Switzerland.
Michael A McCaskeyResearch Department, Reha Rheinfelden, Rheinfelden, Switzerland.
Miura HawkinsInstitute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Martin L VerraDepartment of Physiotherapy, Insel Group, Bern University Hospital, Berne, Switzerland.
Daniel KiperInstitute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics · CHUniversity Hospital of Bern · CHBern University of Applied Sciences · CHETH Zurich · CHReha Rheinfelden · CHSolothurner Spitäler · CHZürcher RehaZentrum Davos · CH

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVirtual reality-based training has found increasing use in neurorehabilitation to improve upper limb training and facilitate motor recovery.

objectiveThe aim of this study was to directly compare virtual reality-based training with conventional therapy.

methodsIn a multi-center, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, patients at least 6 months after stroke onset were allocated either to an experimental group (virtual reality-based training) or a control group receiving conventional therapy (16x45 minutes within 4 weeks). The virtual reality-based training system replicated patients´ upper limb movements in real-time to manipulate virtual objects. Blinded assessors tested patients twice before, once during, and twice after the intervention up to 2-month follow-up for dexterity (primary outcome: Box and Block Test), bimanual upper limb function (Chedoke-McMaster Arm and Hand Activity Inventory), and subjective perceived changes (Stroke Impact Scale).

results54 eligible patients (70 screened) participated (15 females, mean age 61.3 years, range 20-81 years, time since stroke 3.0±SD 3 years). 22 patients were allocated to the experimental group and 32 to the control group (3 drop-outs). Patients in the experimental and control group improved: Box and Block Test mean 21.5±SD 16 baseline to mean 24.1±SD 17 follow-up; Chedoke-McMaster Arm and Hand Activity Inventory mean 66.0±SD 21 baseline to mean 70.2±SD 19 follow-up. An intention-to-treat analysis found no between-group differences.

conclusionsPatients in the experimental and control group showed similar effects, with most improvements occurring in the first two weeks and persisting until the end of the two-month follow-up period. The study population had moderate to severely impaired motor function at entry (Box and Block Test mean 21.5±SD 16). Patients, who were less impaired (Box and Block Test range 18 to 72) showed higher improvements in favor of the experimental group. This result could suggest that virtual reality-based training might be more applicable for such patients than for more severely impaired patients.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01774669.

Indexed as

Upper ExtremityVirtual Reality Exposure TherapyAdultAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedParesisRecovery of FunctionSingle-Blind MethodStrokeStroke RehabilitationTreatment OutcomeVirtual Reality

Identifiers

PMID30356229
PMCPMC6200191
OpenAlexW2898458388

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.