Challenges and Benefits of Virtual Reality in Home-Based Poststroke Rehabilitation: Co-Design Qualitative Study

TL;DR

This study explores how virtual reality can help stroke patients recover at home, focusing on user experiences and design challenges.

Contribution

The study introduces a co-design approach involving patients, professionals, and developers to improve VR for home-based stroke rehabilitation.

Findings

VR can enhance home-based rehabilitation by simulating real-life tasks and increasing therapy intensity.

Adaptability and safety are major challenges for VR systems in addressing diverse stroke-related impairments.

Co-design with stakeholders is essential to align VR tools with rehabilitation goals and user needs.

Abstract

Stroke often leads to persistent impairments that limit daily functioning and psychosocial well-being. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising adjunct in stroke rehabilitation, although research has largely focused on clinical outcomes, with limited attention to user involvement and the experiences of multiple stakeholders in the design process.

This study aimed to explore the challenges and benefits of co-designing and using VR to support home-based poststroke rehabilitation.

A qualitative co-design case study was applied to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges and benefits. Rapid co-design principles were used in developing VR prototypes delivered via head-mounted displays through 3 workshops with participants with stroke, health care professionals, and VR developers from November 2023 to May 2024. A design prototype revision was done based on feedback from the workshops. Data were collected via audio-taped co-design workshops with all participants and 10 successive semistructured interviews with health care professionals and VR developers conducted in a rehabilitation hospital. A thematic analysis was performed on transcribed recordings.

In total, five main themes emerged: (1) adaptability for stroke-related impairments in home rehabilitation, (2) safety and ease of use, (3) goal orientation, (4) motivation, and (5) VR as a complementary tool. One of the primary challenges identified lies in the adaptability of VR systems for individuals with hemiparesis. Additionally, customization and safety concerns remain a complex barrier, as VR solutions must be capable of addressing a wide range of stroke-related impairments and aligning specific rehabilitation goals. VR demonstrated potential to enhance rehabilitation by simulating real-life tasks that encourage goal-oriented and motivating therapy. As a complementary tool, VR can enhance traditional rehabilitation by increasing the intensity and volume of therapy.

This study offers insight into how VR can be effectively integrated into rehabilitation practices. Its integration into rehabilitation requires alignment with established therapeutic principles within VR applications, such as adjustable task-specific training and meaningful outcomes tailored to individual needs, to ensure clinical relevance and user engagement. VR should complement, rather than replace, conventional therapy by increasing training intensity, reducing therapist workload, and extending rehabilitation into the home. Thoughtful co-design with stakeholders is key to creating VR tools that bridge the gap between structured clinical care and independent recovery, offering continuous support throughout the rehabilitation process.

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