The purpose of this review was to investigate feasibility of intensive virtual reality training
to improve upper extremity function with brain plasticity of individuals with stroke through the
literature.
The recovery of the paretic upper extremity depends on regularity and intensity of training
as use-dependent plasticity. In resent, virtual reality program has been widely used in the occupational
therapy field of augmented stroke rehabilitation. There is a growing body of evidence
that virtual reality training of the paretic extremity induces brain plasticity associated with
motor improvement. In terms of therapeutic feasibility to improve paretic upper extremity, recent
research has explored several important factors of virtual reality training for recovery of
upper extremity motor function. These factors include high repetition intensity, high motivation
like type of game, enhanced multisensory feedback regarding performance, and interactive
task-oriented training.
Therefore, occupational therapy combined with intensive and repetitive virtual reality training
will enhance recovery of upper extremity motor function after stroke.